Orengo, Babu, Sifuna add pain to ODM misgivings

Siaya Governor James Orengo, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino have found themselves on the receiving end for challenging the political bromance between their party leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.

While Orengo, Sifuna and Babu have already earned themselves accolades from young Kenyans, who comprise the majority voters in the country, they have found themselves on the wrong path with their community and other party leaders.

The trio have been pushing the party to cut off links with President Ruto’s administration with which they’ve formed the so-called broad-based government.

The three say the bromance is denting the Orange party’s image and legacy. They are reportedly leading a faction within ODM that is pushing Raila to severe ties with Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration and instead join hands with other opposition chiefs and identify with the Gen Zs movement.

Last week Orengo, known for his defiant streak and independent thinking on political matters, stirred debate within ODM over its alliance with Ruto’s UDA.

According to Orengo, the party hijacked a noble cause initiated by the Gen Zs to push for good governance, transparency and accountability by pushing for some of its leaders to join the broad-based government, a move he says was out of selfishness.

At the recent funeral of George Oduor, Raila Odinga’s longtime bodyguard, Orengo took aim at his party leader, sparking a storm within the Orange party.

“We can not be reduced to praise singers for the government,” he said, warning that ODM risks being linked to the perceived failures of the Ruto’s administration.

A seasoned politician with a history of charting his own course, Orengo has never shied away from taking unpopular stances — even when that meant breaking ranks with allies. In the early 2000s, he distanced himself from Raila and launched a failed presidential bid under the Social Democratic Party, where he secured only 0.4 per cent of the votes cast.

Entitled to opinion

Despite past rivalries, Orengo later reunited with Raila, serving as Lands minister in the 2008 Grand Coalition Government­—where Raila was Prime Minister and a co-principal with President Mwai Kibaki—then as Siaya senator and now governor.

Orengo’s says he is unmoved by the mounting pressure on him and vowed to carry on with his resistance against ODM joining the government.

“I am entitled to my opinion. Why should I be vilified in a democratic society where freedom of expression reigns supreme?” he posed as he vowed to soldier on amidst threats of being politically “marginalised” in Luo land.

What has startled political analysts most is the silence by Raila on Orengo’s blunt criticism against his relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Orengo’s remarks were immediately repudiated by Ramogi Professional Caucus with its leader Joshua Nyamori giving him an ultimatum to apologise or face political consequences, including possible impeachment by Siaya MCAs.

Adding to the pressure, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda accused Orengo of disrespecting Ruto during the funeral. “That is not how a leader should address a head of state who has attended a funeral out of his goodwill,” Ojienda said.

Sifuna, like Orengo, has also faced criticism within ODM circles with party loyalists calling for his ouster. A section of ODM leaders and supporters want him to toe the line.

Even his own party chief whip Junet Mohammed has told him to “either support Raila’s broad based initiative or be kicked out of the party.”

Junet has maintained a steady support for the broad based government backed by his boss.

Sifuna has been an ardent critic of the Ruto regime, a stance that has not augured well with ODM supporters from Nyanza region.
Youth groups in Kisumu, led by Kondele Ward aspirant Obungu Owich, called on Orengo to abandon national politics and focus on county development. “Oversight should be left to legislators. He should build Siaya, not burn bridges,” they said, defending the ODM-UDA cooperation as a bridge to national stability.

Alego-Usonga MP Samuel Atandi sharply criticized Orengo’s remarks, arguing that the Luo community must fully participate in government, not cling to opposition politics. “We are part of this government, and we are here to stay,” said Atandi, now chair of the Parliamentary Budget committee.

Socio-economic progress

Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has issued a stern warning against any attempt by politicians to destabilize the peace and stability currently enjoyed across the country.

Speaking during the recent commissioning of the new Kisumu East Police Station in Kasagam, Omollo stressed the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving national cohesion under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Dr Omollo stated that peace remains the cornerstone of Kenya’s socio-economic progress, and the government would not entertain any actions or rhetoric that threatens to reverse the gains made since the 2022 General Election.

“We will not allow any politician — from whichever quarter — to come and destabilize the peace this country has achieved under this broad-based government,” said Omollo. “Peace is not just an ideal; it is vital for development, for investment, and for the well-being of every Kenyan. That is why we must protect it and promote it with vigilance.”

Focusing specifically on the Nyanza region, Omollo reiterated that the government is fully committed to maintaining peace, especially as the country heads into the 2027 election season.

“In this region, we are not going to allow anyone to disturb the peace going forward into 2027,” he asserted. “Our focus is national unity, and our security apparatus will be on high alert to deal with any form of incitement or destabilization.”

Omollo called for a forward-thinking approach, urging Kenyans and leaders to embrace post-election reconciliation and dialogue as a means to heal from past political divisions. “After the polls in 2027, we shall re-engage with everyone — across the political divide — to reconstruct and build new bridges. National cohesion is not just a slogan; it’s a long-term goal we are actively working towards,” he said.

Alongside Orengo, Babu has also expressed scepticism over the broad-based pact, underscoring a growing rift within ODM over its role in the Ruto-led government.

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