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The tension hung heavy in the air as the microphone crackled to life. Ida Odinga stepped forward, her voice steady at first, introducing herself to the gathering of women. Within moments, the murmurs rose into open shouts.
Some in the crowd turned their backs and began walking away, leaving the invited guest struggling to be heard amid the rising chaos. Read Full Article Here
The scene unfolded on March 26, 2022, during the Catholic Women Association Prayer Day at Consolata Primary School in Meru town, Meru County.
Hundreds of women from the local diocese had assembled for a day of reflection and prayer marking the Annunciation. Ida Odinga, wife of the then opposition leader Raila Odinga, had been invited as a guest of honour.
Yet the atmosphere shifted sharply once she took the podium.Attempts by organisers to restore order failed.
One church official repeatedly pleaded for quiet while Ida insisted she stood among them simply as a fellow woman and mother of faith.
Senator Mithika Linturi, also present, tried to intervene, but the heckling continued. When he later conveyed greetings from William Ruto, the mood among sections of the crowd reportedly brightened.
News of the disruption spread quickly, drawing mixed reactions. Some condemned the treatment of an invited speaker at a church event.
Others viewed it as a sign of shifting political loyalties in the region ahead of that year’s elections. Female ward representatives from Meru later issued a public apology, distancing the broader community from the behaviour and alleging external influence.
Years later, the clip of that tense moment continues to circulate. Homa Bay Town MP George Peter Kaluma recently shared related footage with a pointed message: “Revenge is coming in 2027.”
The post captured the lingering frustration among supporters who saw the Meru episode as more than a local disagreement. It remains a vivid reminder of how quickly political undercurrents can surface even in spaces meant for prayer and unity.
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