Siaya Governor James Orengo has addressed rumours about his health and well-being after weeks away from his office.

Speaking during the funeral ceremony of the late former Karachuonyo MP Phoebe Asiyo at her Wikondiek home in Homa Bay County on Friday, August 8, 2025, Orengo said that he is full of health, and that he is going nowhere.

“I am Orengo, Nyatieng’(spider), kidi (rock); I am alive and kicking. In fact, I have come back better than before,” Orengo said.

First public appearance

This marks Orengo’s first public appearance since he attended the event at State House in the company of leaders from Siaya County on June 5, 2025.

Speculations have been rife on the whereabouts of the governor, with his embattled deputy governor, William Oduol stating that he was out of the country, either in India or the US, receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

On Monday, August 4, 2025, Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode was compelled to issue a statement regarding the absence of Orengo after a letter circulated on social media, purporting that he had resigned due to health challenges.

Resignation

“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.

On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, while speaking during an interview on a vernacular TV station, Siaya Deputy Governor Oduol wished Orengo a speedy recovery, urging him to reach a truce about their differences, which have kept him barred from accessing his office since 2023.

Pressure to come out

On Thursday, August 7, 2025, Nyatike MP Tom Odege mounted pressure on Orengo to come out and put the speculations to rest, noting that his continued silence was fuelling rumours.

“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.

“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.