Kang'ata crosses the floor in Thika, joins Linda Mwananchi in bashing President Ruto

The rally was momentarily interrupted after a section of rowdy youths attempted to force their way to the podium, but the leaders pressed on with their message, insisting that no amount of intimidation would derail their countrywide tour.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was the first to calm the crowd, vowing that the meeting would not be disrupted.

"Hii mkutano hamtaharibu. Tumekuwa na mikutano ya amani Kenya yote na hamtaharibu huu mkutano," Babu said.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi took a swipe at those who had warned the opposition against holding rallies in Mt Kenya, declaring that Linda Mwananchi would take its message to every corner of the country, including the President's backyard.

"Walituambia hapa ni watu wa Wantam tu wanatakikana. Tunawaambia shame on you! Hata Sugoi tutaenda na hakuna mtu atatutisha," Osotsi said, adding that the team would wrap up its tour in Nairobi in September.

Siaya Governor James Orengo, who described himself as the most senior politician in Kenya, dismissed President Ruto's chances of re-election, claiming he had lost support across the country.

"Tunajua Kasongo hana kura. Hana kura Kisumu, Nakuru, Thika, Mombasa, na hana kura Mandera. Sasa kazi yetu ni kumpeleka nyumbani," Orengo said.

He maintained that Ruto was the country's biggest problem and welcomed Kang'ata's presence at the rally as proof that the President's political fortunes were dwindling.

"Ruto is the problem. Huyu Kang'ata nimepigana na yeye vita. When I saw Kang'ata today, I said Kasongo is done. Kasongo is going home," Orengo declared.

For his part, Kang'ata used the platform to preach unity and rally Kenyans behind a common cause, insisting that the Linda Mwananchi movement was open to all.

"Mimi naamini Kenya ni kitu moja. Uwe Mkisii, uwe Mjaluo, sisi ni kitu moja. Linda Mwananchi iko na kila mtu," the Murang'a Governor said.

He accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of killing industries in the Mt Kenya region and questioned the government's spending priorities, particularly on the controversial housing levy.

"Mimi nimeangalia sera za kupeleka Kenya mbele kupitia kwa factories. Hii serikali imemaliza factories Mlima Kenya," Kang'ata said.

"Katika hii serikali, ile kazi kubwa wamefanya ni kujenga nyumba. Nani ako na nyumba hapa? Hiyo pesa ya housing levy ipelekwe kwa shule, masomo iwe free."

The Murang'a Governor also called on the national government to return healthcare funds to the counties, arguing that devolution remained the best avenue for delivering quality services to Kenyans.

"Tunataka serikali irudishe pesa ya healthcare kwa County," he said.

Kang'ata further hinted at deeper political conversations with the opposition principals, revealing that he had asked them to seek out  DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua  as part of the broader coalition-building effort.

"Nimeambia Sifuna, Babu na Orengo watafute Wamunyoro," he said, adding, "I only want a better Kenya. Our people need better medical attention and better education."

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna closed the rally with a defiant tone, mocking those who had doubted that the opposition would make it to Thika.

"Walisema hatutafika Thika, hapa ni wapi!" Sifuna posed.

He challenged President Ruto to demonstrate where his support base lay, claiming that Kenyans had overwhelmingly rejected him.

"Tunataka kuuliza, kura ya Ruto iko wapi na Wakenya wote wamekukataa?" he said.

Sifuna further announced that should the opposition take over government, slashing the State House budget would be among its first priorities.

"Wakati tutachukua serikali, kitu ya kwanza tunakata ni budget ya State House," he declared.

"Sisi kama Linda Mwananchi hatutafungulia Ruto mlango atoke nje kwa sababu Wakenya wamemfungia kwa corner."

He concluded with a message to Kang'ata, embracing the "Wantam" tag that has come to define the opposition's one-term agenda against President Ruto.

"Mheshimiwa Kang'ata, nataka kukuhakikishia kwamba sisi hatuna shida na watu wanasema Wantam, kwa sababu sisi ni Wantam," Sifuna said.