Cherargei: Orengo cannot preach democracy while undermining his deputy
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 1, 2025Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has accused Siaya Governor James Orengo of practising double standards by presenting himself as a defender of democracy and rule of law while mistreating his deputy, William Oduor.
During a Senate sitting on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Cherargei said Oduor has been unable to access his office in Siaya for nearly a year despite surviving an impeachment attempt.
He described the situation as a clear case of political victimisation that undermines the principles of devolution and constitutional governance.
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“Siaya is the worst case, when the deputy governor was brought here for impeachment, CPA, William Oduol, we didn’t impeach him. But do you know, up to today, almost one year, he has not been able to access his office. He cannot access his office. And the governor of Siaya purports to be the paragon of democracy and rule of law,” Cherargei stated.
According to the senator, Oduor’s troubles began after a political fallout with the governor, leading to a sustained standoff that has seen him denied basic access to his office and official functions.
“So if, if the some of that is why we are saying we understand the frustration of deputy governors with respect to William Oduor cannot access his office, not because of any mistake but because of political differences between him and Orengo,” he stated.
Cherargei stated that the matter has since been raised before the Senate Devolution Committee, with claims that attempts by the deputy governor to enter his office in Siaya town were violently blocked by organised groups.
Plight of Deputy Governors
Senator Cherargei has also called for an end to the treatment of deputy governors as mere figureheads, where they should be assigned important roles in the management of the devolved units.
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He cited the case of his own county, where the deputy governor lacks the respect and recognition of her boss.
“Even my own county governor does not respect his deputy governor; she appears more as a flower girl. Even in the succession matrix of the gubernatorial seat in Nandi County, she is running for governor, but the governor has never endorsed her,” Cherargei stated.