Nyatike MP Tom Odege mounts pressure on Orengo over prolonged absence from office
By Arnold Ngure, August 7, 2025Member of Parliament (MP) for Nyatike, Tom Odege, has mounted pressure on Siaya Governor James Orengo to speak out about his continued absence from office.
Speaking during a vernacular TV show on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Odege stated that Orengo should come out publicly and address the reasons for his continued absence from the people of Siaya.
“If the governor is listening to us now, he should bring all the anxiety in Siaya to a stop by disclosing his whereabouts, his condition, and giving an assurance that all services will proceed as usual,” Odege said.
Fueling misinformation
The career unionist-turned politician also urged Orengo to disclose the reason for his absence, noting that the lack of clarity was fuelling misinformation and rumours.
“The public has the right to know Orengo’s whereabouts because they voted for him to deliver services. When they cannot see him, they have to inquire,” Odege observed.
“The rumours you hear are fuelled by speculations because the governor has yet to publicly speak to the issues of his absence from office.”
He further noted that Orengo should advise his office to speak about his continued absence if he is unable to do it on his own.
Set the record straight
“It will take Governor Orengo’s personal intervention to come out and address issues of his own health. His office is not permitted to speak on the health matters,” Odege stated.
“Even if he is unable to communicate directly to the public, he should have instructed his office on the information to share with the public on his absence from office.”
“The governor’s inability to address this issue has escalated the matter to become one of public concern, because he should have come out publicly and set the record straight.”
Speculation has been rife after the governor fell from the public radar. On Monday, August 4, 2025, Siaya County Assembly speaker George Okode was jolted to respond after a fake letter of Orengo’s resignation did rounds on social media.
Speaking to the press on Monday, August 4, 2025, Okode said the fake letter was part of a wider scheme by detractors of the governor to discredit his administration.
“I have not received the alleged letter, and therefore it does not exist on record and in law. The information I have is that James Orengo is still the substantive governor of Siaya County, and is performing his duties as prescribed in law,” Okode said.