Orengo: Zoning itself shows that the ODM party is weak
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 25, 2026Siaya Governor James Orengo has come out to take a swipe at the ongoing zoning talks within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying it is a clear indication that the party has become weak.
While speaking during an interview on Herman Manyora TV, the outspoken former senator stated that when ODM was strong, it was other parties that used to complain about zoning and even called for leniency to allow them a fair chance to contest for seats. According to Orengo, the situation has now completely changed.
“Zoning itself shows that ODM has been emasculated and is weak.”
He further expressed disappointment with the current state of ODM, pointing to its declining performance in its former strongholds.
He noted that the party failed to secure seats in the recently concluded by-elections, citing Kisii East Ward and Narok Town Ward, where the Democracy for the Citizens Party managed to win seats that, according to Orengo, could have easily been won by the ODM party.
On ODM’s future under the current circumstances, he stated that although the situation may look gloomy, it is not irreversibly lost.
He also took a swipe at Kakamega County, which was once an ODM stronghold with 12 MPs, expressing disappointment that most of them are now decamping to the UDA party.
Raila’s sister’s concerns
This comes days after Pauline Odhiambo Oginga, the step-sister of the late Raila Odinga, expressed her disappointment with the current state of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), stating that President William Ruto can access the Nyanza region without any support from Orange Party leaders.
While speaking during an interview on Herman Manyora’s podcast aired on Saturday, April 18, 2026, she stated that ODM top party officials should be held solely responsible for the situation.
She accused them of entertaining Ruto too much, allowing him to make inroads into their strongholds without their knowledge, only to later realise that he had already gained significant ground.
According to her, Ruto can now freely hold rallies and engage with locals in Nyanza without seeking permission or going through local political leaders such as Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
“It is sad that Ruto can reach the ground in Nyanza without the ODM leaders, and even the people at the grassroots have said that with or without the support of Nyanza leaders, they want development from this government,” Pauline Oginga observed.
Sifuna’s take
Sifuna has also come out to express his disappointment with the current state of the Orange Party.
However, he lamented that the party has weakened to the point where it now has to negotiate zoning arrangements with other parties.
Sifuna blames ODM leaders
He also blamed ODM leaders for allowing Ruto to penetrate their strongholds, arguing that the president has since established a firm political presence in areas that were once considered ODM bastions.
“For the first time I have never heard of zoning in Homa Bay. We have reached a place where we are asking for zoning in Homa Bay; when ODM was strong, we never cared who ran against us,” he stated.