A heated exchange rocked an ODM delegates' meeting in Funyula, Busia County, on Sunday, October 11, 2026, after former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya openly questioned the absence of party Secretary General Catherine Omanyo.

Oparanya, who was addressing delegates at the meeting associated with Oburu Odinga, expressed his displeasure at Omanyo's failure to attend the gathering, insisting that such an important party meeting should not proceed without the presence of its Secretary General.

Turning his attention to Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, Oparanya challenged him to take the lead in uniting ODM leaders in the county, warning against divisions within the party.

“Hatuwezi kuwa na ODM delegates na SG hayuko hapa, Otuoma kubali niwaweke PAMOJA!” Oparanya declared angrily,

His pointed criticism put the spotlight on Omanyo's absence and raised questions about coordination among ODM leaders in Busia.

After the Funyula meeting, the delegation proceeded to Kaliwa Primary School in Amukura Central Ward, Busia County, to witness football finals organised by Makongeni ward MCA Peter Imwatok. "Jateso"

At the sporting event, however, the attendance dynamics took a different turn, with Governor Paul Otuoma also absent while Omanyo was present alongside other senior ODM leaders.

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga accompanied Omanyo, alongside other political leaders who turned up to witness the finals.

The contrasting attendance at the two events added another layer to the day's political developments, with Omanyo missing the delegates' meeting but later appearing at the football finals alongside a group of influential ODM figures.

The events highlighted the significance of both political mobilisation and grassroots sporting activities in bringing leaders closer to residents, even as questions about unity and coordination within ODM's Busia leadership continued to emerge.

The reason for Otuoma's absence from the football finals and Omanyo's earlier absence from the delegates' meeting was not immediately established.