Ramogi Professional Caucus coordinator, Oscar Omondi, has put into context the bone of contention with Siaya governor James Orengo following the backlash against the governor over claims of undermining the broad-based government.

The body’s leadership on Saturday, April 26, 2025, expressed concern about the governor’s remarks during the burial of Odinga’s long-serving aide George Oduor in Siaya on April 12, terming them an embarrassment to the community.

Speaking during a live interview on Monday, April 28, 2025, Omondi clarified that they took issue with the governor engaging in an ill-timed political antagonism when, according to the caucus, he should be focused on other pertinent issues of national importance.

“This issue was that Orengo was being a bit disruptive. We probably didn’t say sorry for calling for his impeachment, but that by him embarrassing the leader was; Raila has taken a course in stabilizing the country’s economy and the political system, and it has been working. His remarks were antagonizing the centre at a time when other things that matter to us were being addressed,” he said.

While acknowledging the right to hold a divergent voice, Omondi stated that he ought to use his position to advocate for calm and stability.

“We are not saying the view was nonsensical. It is an important thing. We cannot be taking the lead all the time in disruptive situations; let us get some order first and allow things to work. Orengo is not a small person; his voice is a big one, he holds a high position as governor,” he added.

“It is not bad to have discussions of 2027, but we need to get things in order to get to 2027. Currently, we are more interested in the economic well-being as a community, as opposed to meaningless freedoms we struggled to achieve for years and have not impacted the livelihoods of this community,” he stated.

Orengo has, on several occasions, castigated Odinga and accused a section of ODM officials of sycophancy following the ODM-UDA pact signed on March 7.

In an unforeseen twist, Raila came out to defend the governor over the weekend during a burial function in Homabay County.

Raila, in his defence of the lawyer, stated that Orengo’s sentiments were in line with what the ODM has been championing as a party that upholds the right to liberty and freedom of expression.