Orengo: ODM-UDA MoU was a springboard for Gen Z issues, not party gains
By Faith Lagat, March 9, 2026Siaya Governor and veteran politician James Orengo has criticised the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as a “springboard” for addressing Gen Z grievances rather than a tool for partisan gain.
Speaking on March 9, 2026, Orengo emphasised that the March 7, 2025, agreement was fundamentally about responding to national demands following youth-led protests in 2024.
“And make no mistake, this MoU was not about ODM and UDA,” he said. “If you look at the 10-point agenda, it is about Kenya and the people of Kenya… the springboard was the Gen Z movement.”
The agenda, derived from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report and the MoU, outlined priorities including strengthening devolution, promoting inclusion, combating corruption, improving government efficiency, and addressing post-protest issues such as abductions, extrajudicial killings, compensation, debt management, and youth employment.
Unfulfilled promises and ongoing challenges
Orengo highlighted that two years on, many issues remain unresolved. Abductions and extrajudicial killings linked to protest crackdowns continue, and families of victims from the 2024 demonstrations have yet to receive compensation.
“Actualisation now, not tomorrow. Now,” he stressed, criticising authorities for citing budget constraints as a reason for delays.
He also pointed to the country’s rising public debt and persistent cost-of-living pressures. Youth unemployment continues to drive migration abroad, with young Kenyans reportedly working in high-risk environments due to lack of local opportunities.
“If it had been achieved, it would have been self-evident,” Orengo remarked, urging citizens to judge progress based on everyday realities rather than statements alone.
ODM factions weigh in
The comments come as President William Ruto toured Bondo, Siaya County, on March 8, 2026, defending the broad-based government and promising a March 10 report on the 10-point agenda, inviting all Kenyans including critics to review its outcomes.
ODM leader Oburu Odinga cited milestones, including Parliament’s approval of Ksh 415 billion in devolved funds, with plans to reach KSh 450 billion, and ongoing negotiations for full implementation.
However, internal party divisions persist. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, aligned with Orengo’s Linda Mwananchi faction, announced plans for an independent public rally to assess the MoU’s achievements.
Orengo’s remarks reinforce concerns within ODM that the MoU, designed to respond to youth demands, has yet to deliver tangible results, highlighting a growing debate on whether the broad-based government represents genuine reform or political expediency ahead of the 2027 elections.