Siaya Governor James Orengo on Monday, June 22, 2026, hosted senior national government officials during an inspection tour of the ongoing upgrade of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium, a flagship project being implemented by the Ministry of Defence through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

The delegation was led by Principal Secretary for Defence Patrick Mariru, who lauded the progress made so far, describing both the pace and quality of construction works as impressive.

Taking to his official X account after inspecting the site, Mariru said the modernisation of the stadium was progressing steadily and remained on course for completion by the end of the year.

“The pace and quality of work achieved so far are impressive,” Mariru said in a statement shared on social media after the tour.

Tripled stadium capacity

The ambitious facelift will see the stadium’s seating capacity triple from 5,000 to 15,000 spectators through the construction of additional terraces. The project also includes the installation of a roof canopy, expansion of parking facilities, construction of a ring road around the facility, and extensive mechanical and electrical works designed to bring the stadium up to modern standards.

According to the Defence Ministry, the upgraded facility is expected to play a critical role in nurturing sporting talent, creating opportunities for youth, and boosting economic activity in Siaya County and the wider Nyanza region.

Political rivals unite for development agenda

The inspection tour also carried significant political symbolism, bringing together senior national government officials and Orengo, who has remained one of the fiercest critics of President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.

Orengo has repeatedly criticised the government’s policies and has been among ODM leaders who opposed the party’s broad-based cooperation arrangement with President Ruto.

In 2025, the Siaya governor publicly questioned the effectiveness of the Kenya Kwanza administration and raised concerns about governance and electoral reforms, putting him at odds with some leaders within his own party who supported engagement with the government.

His persistent criticism of the government has even attracted rebukes from both Kenya Kwanza allies and some ODM leaders. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei previously accused Orengo of undermining the broad-based arrangement between ODM and Kenya Kwanza, while Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga publicly challenged the governor’s repeated attacks on the administration.

Despite the political differences, Orengo has increasingly adopted a pragmatic approach when it comes to development projects benefiting Siaya residents. Earlier engagements between the county government and the Ministry of Defence paved the way for collaboration on the modernization of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium and the upgrading of Siaya Level 5 Hospital, projects being implemented through the Kenya Defence Forces.

The governor has previously defended his engagement with President Ruto’s administration, insisting that working with the national government on development matters does not amount to abandoning his political principles.

He has maintained that his constitutional responsibility as governor requires him to pursue projects that benefit the people of Siaya regardless of political affiliations.