Orengo cites Jaramogi’s arrest in pyjamas as one of darkest chapters of his political career
By Martin Oduor, May 6, 2026In a poignant reflection on a career spanning over half a century, Siaya Governor James Orengo has opened up about the darkest chapters of his political life, headlined by the unceremonious treatment of Kenya’s founding Vice President.
Speaking on Wednesday night, May 6, 2026, during a televised interview, the 76-year-old veteran politician recounted the harrowing moment Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was seized by the state in the middle of the night—an event that Orengo says still haunts him.
Orengo described the visceral shock of seeing a former Vice President treated with such disregard for his dignity.
The Siaya governor recalled the late-night arrest that saw Jaramogi taken from his home while still in his sleepwear.
“My lowest moment was when Jaramogi was arrested in the middle of the night in pyjamas,” Orengo said.
“I thought that he would not last that night when he was being held at Kasarani, eventually transported in Kisumu and Siaya and taken to court of law in pyjamas. I think that was really a low moment, that a former Vice President he would be treated the way he was being treated”.
The Siaya governor also highlighted the system’s treatment of Kenneth Matiba during his detention as another significant low point in his long struggle for Kenyan democracy.
Despite the grim recollections of the past, the Senior Counsel also took the time to celebrate the moments of profound progress that have defined his legacy.
For Orengo, the ultimate “high” remains the day the nation’s future was reshaped at Uhuru Park.
“At Uhuru Park, when President Kibaki promulgated the new constitution,” Orengo mentioned, citing the 2010 event as a pinnacle of his career.
He further added the landmark 2017 Supreme Court nullification of the presidential election to his list of triumphs, viewing it as a moment of judicial courage and a high point for the rule of law in Kenya.
As one of the few remaining “Young Turks” from the second liberation struggle still in active politics, Orengo’s reflections serve as a stark reminder of the personal costs and historical milestones involved in Kenya’s political evolution.
From witnessing leaders driven to court in pyjamas to watching a President sign a new constitution, Orengo’s 76 years have seen the very extremes of the Kenyan political experience.