The western and eastern blocs actively sought to influence local policy making and win allies resulting in a proxy cold war in Kenya.

[4] Odinga and Bildad Kaggia criticised the Kenyatta government for adopting a corrupt land redistribution policy that did not benefit the poor and landless.

Odinga became increasingly sidelined in government and was eventually compelled to resign and start his own political party – the Kenya People's Union (KPU).

Outside Nyanza Province, Oginga Odinga's home turf, most KPU members including Bildad Kaggia lost their seats.

[8] Tom Mboya, one of the few remaining members of the Luo community in the upper echelons of government at the time, widely touted as the heir apparent to Kenyatta, was assassinated 6 months after Argwings death on 5 July 1969.

The crowd in attendance became hostile, openly challenging Kenyatta, showing support for KPU and accusing him of involvement in Tom Mboya's murder.

[1][2] Two days after the massacre, all KPU members of parliament and a number of prominent party supporters were arrested.

[6][2][3][5] The government subsequently neglected the development of Nyanza Province, resulting in abject poverty and lowering of the standard of living.

[8] The political rivalry between the supporters of Jomo Kenyatta and Oginga Odinga has waxed and waned since then but never been resolved.

Demonstrations in Kisumu were violently suppressed by police, resulting in the death of civilians, including men, women and children not involved in the riots.