Karua hails Raila and Orengo amid claims of fallout
By Lutta Njomo, April 19, 2025Social media has been awash with reports that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his long-term ally, Siaya Governor James Orengo, were not reading from the same page.
The claims were exacerbated after professionals from the Luo community threatened to sponsor an impeachment motion against Orengo for criticising the broad-based government.
The discussion regarding the said fallout extended to Saturday, April 19, 2025, with Kenyans on various social media platforms wading into the debate.
People’s Liberation Party (PLP), Martha Karua was forced to add her voice to the matter after some social media users claimed Raila did not fight for the country’s liberation.
In a statement, Karua dismissed the claims, insisting that Raila was an important part of the country’s liberation. She equally hailed Orengo, noting that his role in the fight for multipartism was well documented.
“Even though we differ politically truth be said, Raila Odinga was an integral part of the 2nd liberation alongside James Orengo and others,” Karua responded to a statement on X claiming that only Orengo fought for liberation.
“We cannot change history he was detained, jailed and like James Orengo, forced to flee Kenya for a while,” she further explained.
Allowed to disagree
Without directly referring to claims of Raila-Orengo fallout, Karua insisted that democracy is premised on allowing divergent ideas.
“Democracy is about having divergent views and sometimes agreeing to disagree on issues,” Karua affirmed.
Threats on Orengo
Orengo has dominated headlines in recent times after he called out senior politicians over what he termed as psychophancy to the government.
His sentiments did not augur well with Luo professionals who claimed that he was sabotaging the newly found bromance between Raila and President William Ruto.
Nyanza professionals organisation dubbed Ramogi Professional Caucus reiterated that the community (Luo) is united behind the Ruto-Raila pact for development.
“We want to tell Siaya Governor James Orengo that we are not happy with his remarks at Oduor’s burial on Saturday. As a community, we are united and fully support the broad-based government. This is the only way we can ensure we develop economically. We cannot be in opposition forever,” Joshua Nyamori, RPC Chairman, says.
“If he continues like this, we will even impeach him,” Polycarp Ochilo, a member, added.
The two veteran politicians are yet to issue statements on the matter.