Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo was on Sunday, September 13, heckled by a hostile crowd while addressing residents in the presence of President William Ruto in Kisumu.
The MP had only just begun speaking after being handed the microphone when the crowd broke into loud heckling, forcing her to pause and respond to the disruption.
Despite the reception, Odhiambo, who has recently been critical of aspects of the government’s administration, maintained that she would continue supporting the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration, but on her own terms.
"I am supporting President William Ruto, but in my own way, and on my own terms," Millie Odhiambo stated. She challenged the crowd to continue with the heckling, insisting that she would not be intimidated.
"You know you cannot threaten me with your heckling and booing. I was born a tough-headed girl, and nothing in this place can threaten me," Odhiambo added.
The situation escalated as the crowd continued heckling the lawmaker, prompting Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, who was serving as the master of ceremonies, to intervene and take the microphone from Odhiambo in an attempt to restore order.
Millie Odhiambo's Position on the Broad-Based Government
Odhiambo has maintained an independent political position amid divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over President Ruto's 2027 re-election bid and the party's relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The Suba North lawmaker has repeatedly rejected pressure to align herself with either of the competing ODM factions, maintaining that her allegiance remains with the party rather than any particular camp.
During a press interview on May 31, Odhiambo explained that she did not identify with either the ODM Linda Ground or Linda Mwananchi faction. “I said clearly that I am not in ODM Linda Ground or ODM Linda Mwananchi but in ODM. I was told I am a fence-sitter,” stated Millie Odhiambo.
She further maintained that she would not be forced to choose between the two factions, adding, “I am not going to be pushed into a position where I have to choose between Linda Ground and Linda Mwananchi. My position is that I am an ODM member, and I will continue to articulate my views without being put in a box.”
Her position has seen her criticise decisions and political strategies associated with both sides of the divide. She opposed efforts to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as ODM Secretary General, while declining to join his Linda Mwananchi movement.
At the same time, Odhiambo has backed President Ruto's candidature while warning that arrogance within the broad-based government could have political consequences.
She has also challenged ODM's zoning arrangements aimed at protecting the party's traditional strongholds in Nyanza, arguing that political parties should be allowed to compete and that voters should ultimately determine their preferred leaders.
Odhiambo has previously described her approach as a deliberate "fence philosophy", arguing that it represents political independence rather than indecision.
Her stance has continued to set her apart from politicians seeking to firmly identify with either side of the ongoing ODM political divide.
