Orengo: CS Wandayi is not an expert
By Mabonga Makhanu, May 23, 2026Siaya Governor James Orengo has launched a scathing attack on four Cabinet Secretaries drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), popularly referred to as the “four experts”, who were politically accommodated in President William Ruto’s Cabinet.
Orengo dismissed the label, insisting that they are not experts as widely labelled.
Speaking during an interview with Obinna TV, aired on Saturday, May 23, 2026, he went full throttle on Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, saying he is not an expert since he lacks formal training in the energy sector.
“Wandayi is not an expert. I don’t think he went for training in a chemical institute or any training in the oil industry,” he said.
Takes issue with mbadi
He also took issue with Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who is an accountant by training, arguing that such a background does not necessarily qualify one to hold such a position unless one has formal training in economics and finance.
Orengo further argued that if they were truly experts, they would have foreseen the current global fuel crisis and put in place measures to mitigate it before it escalated to the current levels.
Ignorance among the experts
However, he also noted that expertise in a specific field is not always a strict requirement for occupying a high public office. But according to Orengo, the way the four leaders present themselves in public suggests a level of ignorance in handling key national issues.
Kururia’s perspective
In a statement shared on his social media pages on Tuesday, the outspoken legislator went full throttle on Wandayi, who was among the four individuals presented by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as experts when they joined President William Ruto’s Cabinet in 2024.
Kururia accused the Energy CS of failing to solve the ongoing energy crisis in the country, which has sparked protests in different parts of Kenya over the rising fuel prices.
Effects on Ruto’s reelection
The Gatundu North MP further claimed that Wandayi’s handling of the docket was politically damaging to President William Ruto, arguing that the crisis was leaving the head of state embarrassed and costing him support across the country.