People Line Up for Payment After Oburu Odinga’s ODM Rally at Tononoka Grounds
MOMBASA – Reports and verified video clips have emerged showing people lining up to receive cash following the ODM Linda Ground rally led by Oburu Odinga at Tononoka Grounds on Saturday.
The rally, which drew hundreds of party supporters, has now become the center of discussions on political mobilisation tactics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The videos, circulated on social media and verified on the ground, show individuals forming queues outside the rally venue, receiving envelopes of cash from unidentified organisers.
Observers say the payments were made immediately after the event, although the exact amounts and the total number of beneficiaries remain unclear.
During the rally, Oburu Odinga addressed the crowd, emphasising the need for unity within the party and strengthening grassroots support.
He also called for continued dialogue with President William Ruto’s administration, signalling a strategic approach to political alliances in the Coast region.
While ODM officials have not publicly confirmed the payments, eyewitness accounts and the video evidence indicate that some form of compensation was given to attendees.
This has sparked debates online, with critics claiming that the act could be interpreted as vote buying, while supporters argue it was meant as a gesture to encourage participation and show appreciation for loyal party members.
Political analysts say such practices are not new in Kenya’s election campaigns, noting that rallies often include incentives to mobilise supporters.
However, the verified cash distribution at the Tononoka rally has drawn attention due to its scale and timing, raising questions about campaign funding transparency and electoral ethics.
The event also highlighted the ongoing divisions within ODM, with rival factions holding simultaneous rallies in different regions.
Oburu’s camp appears determined to consolidate support along the Coast, countering challenges from other party leaders who are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
As the political temperature rises, observers say similar events are likely to take place in other parts of the country, with supporters, opposition parties, and the public closely watching how incentives and mobilization strategies influence voter behaviour.
People line up for payment after Oburu Odinga’s ODM Linda Ground rally in Tononoka grounds pic.twitter.com/LVs0t945Tp
— The Nairobi Times (@TheNairobiTimez) February 15, 2026
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