Orengo: Weekend multimillion-shilling donations betray the spirit of Saba Saba
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 7, 2026Siaya Governor James Orengo has criticised the growing trend of multimillion-shilling donations by State officials at public fundraisers, saying the practice undermines the ideals that inspired the historic Saba Saba movement.
In a statement released on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, to mark the 36th anniversary of Saba Saba, Orengo said the struggle for constitutionalism, accountability and the rule of law was being overshadowed by what he described as a culture of unexplained wealth and extravagant public donations.
The Siaya governor said Saba Saba was born out of the fight against autocracy and political patronage, with Kenyans demanding a governance system anchored on accountability, human rights and constitutionalism.
“As we reflect on this historic struggle today, we must honestly evaluate whether the ideals for which our liberation heroes fought are being upheld, or whether we are sliding back into the dark eras of state-sponsored opulence and structural corruption,” he said.
Public harambees
Orengo took issue with the increasing number of public officials announcing multimillion-shilling donations during weekend harambees, saying the trend raises serious constitutional and ethical questions.
“Every weekend, Kenyans are treated to a grotesque procession of public officials publicly competing to announce donations worth tens of millions of shillings,” he said, adding that over the past weekend alone, state officers pledged individual donations of Ksh20 million, Ksh10 million and Ksh2 million.
He posed what he termed the fundamental constitutional question: “Where is this money coming from?”
According to Orengo, public office is a public trust, and every shilling controlled, spent or publicly displayed by a state officer must withstand constitutional scrutiny.
He argued that displays of wealth by public officials stand in sharp contrast to the economic hardships facing many Kenyans, including the high cost of living, struggling healthcare services, underfunded schools and financial challenges confronting county governments.
“The original harambee spirit was built on community solidarity and mutual aid. It was never intended to be a money-laundering bazaar or a public relations theatre for unexplained wealth,” he said.
The governor called for immediate lifestyle audits of state officers whose donations appear disproportionate to their known lawful income, saying the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) should enforce the provisions of the Leadership and Integrity Act and the Public Officer Ethics Act.
He also called for full public disclosure of the sources of the donations, arguing that transparency is a constitutional right rather than a political favour.
Upholding of the Constitution
Orengo further urged leaders to remain faithful to Chapter Six of the Constitution, saying leadership should be measured by adherence to constitutional values, fiscal discipline and service delivery rather than the size of donations made at public rallies.
He maintained that the heroes of the Saba Saba movement did not fight for a country where public office would become a gateway to unexplained wealth but for a transparent, just and accountable society.
“The era of unexplained multimillion-shilling donations must come to an end. Let us honour Saba Saba not just in speech, but through an unwavering commitment to integrity, the rule of law and absolute accountability to the people of Kenya,” he said.