Siaya County Governor James Orengo made his appearance at the Siaya County government offices after weeks of speculation.

Chauffeured in a Toyota Prado J250 on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the county boss was greeted by staff who had stepped into the gap during the period of his absence.

The power vacuum created during Orengo’s time away from office threatened to throw the county into chaos, given that Orengo had clashed with his deputy governor, William Oduol, who ordinarily takes charge whenever the governor is away.

Pressure mounts

Instead, Siaya County Assembly speaker George Okode at some point stepped in to allay fears that the governor may have been incapacitated.

Nyanza leaders, including Nyatike MP Tom Odege, mounted pressure on Orengo to issue a public communication on his health, even as the absence created anxiety among the residents worried about service delivery.

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.

Public appearance

However, on Friday, August 8, 2025, Orengo made a public appearance during the funeral service of former Karachuonyo MP Phoebe Asiyo at her Wikondiek home.

Dismissing the rumours on his health, Orengo indicated that he was back better and stronger than before, lending credence to speculations that the county boss had been seeking treatment abroad.

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.