Siaya Governor James Orengo has accused President William Ruto of betraying the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga by failing to implement key commitments that formed the basis of their political cooperation, citing continued abductions, the high cost of living, and challenges in the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Speaking during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Voi, Taita Taveta County, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, Orengo claimed the Kenya Kwanza administration has reneged on promises that Raila had insisted must be fulfilled.

“Ruto amesaliti Raila! Raila alisema kwamba hakuna kuteka watu nyara. Watu wanatekwa nyara ama hawatekwi nyara?” Orengo posed, with the crowd responding that abductions were still taking place.

The governor also accused the government of failing to stop police brutality, saying security officers were continuing to kill Kenyans with impunity despite Raila’s calls for adherence to the rule of law.

“Na Raila alisema, ‘Polisi, mtii sheria!’ Mueze kuuawa watu kiholela. Watu wanauawa ama hawauawi?” he asked as the crowd answered that the killings were continuing.

Cost of living

Orengo further argued that the government’s pledge to lower the cost of living had not been realised.

“Na Raila alisema ya kwamba gharama ya maisha lazima zirudi chini. Hapa Voi, gharama ya maisha iko juu ama iko chini?” he asked, with residents shouting, “Juu!”

He also questioned the effectiveness of the Social Health Authority (SHA), claiming many Kenyans were still unable to access healthcare services.

“Ukienda hospitalini, SHA inafanya kazi? SHA inafanya kazi?” Orengo asked.

The Siaya governor concluded his address by urging voters to remove President Ruto from office in the 2027 General Election.

“Sasa 2027, tunapeleka Ruto wapi?” he asked repeatedly, with the crowd chanting, “Nyumbani!”

Orengo’s latest remarks come against the backdrop of deepening divisions within ODM and growing criticism of the broad-based political arrangement between President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga.

The Siaya governor has emerged as one of the leading figures in the Linda Mwananchi movement, a faction that insists the government has failed to implement the key commitments contained in the 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ruto and Raila, including tackling the high cost of living, ending abductions and extrajudicial killings, and strengthening governance reforms.