Willis Otieno calls out ODM over vulgar speech at party event
By Charles Ouma, February 27, 2026Lawyer Willis Otieno has weighed in on vulgar remarks made at an Orange Democratic Movement party Linda Ground event in Kisumu, which sparked outrage and concerns about the continued s*xual objectification of women in politics.
In a terse statement on his official X account on Friday, February 27, 2026, the lawyer expressed his shock that ODM leaders in the event were captured on camera laughing at the vulgar statement made in reference to a recent attempt to change party leadership by elevating a woman to a position of leadership within the party.
“When leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement stand on a public podium and laugh while vulgar attacks are hurled at women, that is not politics. It is a moral collapse. A rally stage is not a comedy club. It is not a locker room,” he stated.
Oburu allies called out
He faulted the ODM faction led by Oburu Odinga, which was behind the event of tolerating the humiliation of women disguised as crowd entertainment.
“It is not a marketplace for s*xual humiliation disguised as crowd entertainment. When women’s bodies and s*xuality become punchlines, and senior party figures grin along, they are not being charismatic; they are normalising degradation,” Otieno added in his terse verdict.
He noted that progressive movements do not objectify women, and the ODM faction led by Oburu has failed on this front, as all the leaders who were at the event sat back and watched as the vulgar remarks were made, with no one intervening, and some were even seen laughing.
“You cannot claim to be a progressive movement, speak the language of rights and constitutionalism, and then reduce women to objects for applause,” he added.
The speech attracted criticism from across the political divide, with many calling out the politician behind the remarks for verbal violence against women, reducing them to s*xual objects to be used, manipulated or abused.
Oburu’s reaction
With the video going viral and calls for action mounting on social media, ODM party leader Oburu Odinga issued a statement affirming the party’s position.
“At ODM, our foundation is built on the empowerment of women and the protection of family values. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward vulgarity and disrespectful language. Leadership requires dignity, and we remain committed to fostering a culture of mutual respect. Leadership with respect!” Oburu stated.
The statement was swiftly dismissed by many as a hollow one made to save face, as it did not indicate any corrective measures or actions taken against the politician behind them.