Siaya governor James Orengo has acknowledged Raila Odinga for his influential role in guiding the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to being a leading force in Kenya’s political landscape.

Speaking at an event to mark the party’s 20 years of existence in Busia on Friday, February 28, 2025, the governor lauded Odinga’s huge role in shaping ODM’s dominance and purpose.

“We want ODM to continue to be strong. Our party is big in Kenya because of Raila Odinga. He has been leader with principal stance since he started his politics. He’s also been a front-runner among the leaders who advocate for multi-party. It is why our party stand as a party with an identity, a manifesto and direction,” he said.

The renowned lawyer has been leading figure of the dissenters regarding the party’s recent association with William Ruto in a matter that has set the party’s members on a collision course while also threatening the unity of the party.

Regarding the matter, Orengo has strongly criticised Ruto citing his regime as complicit in cases of human rights abuses, including abductions and extrajudicial killings.

Orengo doubled down on the topic as he emphasized the need for the party to maintain its pro- people identity.

“I ask all members of ODM that we must never lose our identity as a progressive movement. As Sifuna says we are strong in Kenya today. ODM must take the lead. We can’t be swallowed it is us to swallow others,” Orengo observed.

The governor further expressed optimism about ODM’s prospect of capturing power and ascending to form the government.

“We as ODM must capture power in this country. It is not done until it’s done,” he said.

Orengo’s remarks come barely a month after making a similar opinion during the funeral of Roseline Odede, the chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), held in Uyoma, Rarieda Sub-County, on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

During the event, he was warned against being cheerleaders of Ruto’s government.

“We (ODM) have an identity. If you lose that identity for easy victories, we are going to pay for it in the future. If you must make compromises, you must make compromises on matters of principle. Do not be part of praise and worship,” he stated.

Adding;

“I want my conscience to be clear. When there were abductions, I said no to that. I am saying this because Roseline, this December, not three years ago, told the government to stop abductions and extrajudicial killings. And when she did that, they took away the money for the commission, and workers could not be paid. That is why I am saying, when there is too much sycophancy, people lose sight of their fundamentals.”