Siaya Governor James Orengo is under fire from some members of the Orange party following his remarks on the broad-based government formed by President William Ruto and his party leader Raila Odinga. 

Orengo, who has been Raila’s ally for decades, seems to be breaking away from supporting what his party boss is spearheading. 

Sources have now intimated that Orengo has sensed he may not get an endorsement to defend his seat in the 2027 polls and is now charting his political path away from the ODM party and Raila. 

The governor, a critic of Ruto and Raila’s new political union, has continued with his one-man battle, which now puts him in confrontation with leadership. 

A source familiar with Orengo’s strategy told People Daily in confidence that he has been opposed to the broad-based government and does not only call it out in the presence of both Ruto and Raila but also spreads the gospel in his county.  

Orengo has been challenging his ODM party to stand by its principles even when in the broad-based government deal. 

Challenge for Presidency 

Speaking in Siaya on Friday, Orengo averred that ODM ought not to be satisfied with the status quo, adding that it needs to have plans to contest for the Presidency in the 2027 polls. 

“As a party, we cannot be in a position where we are satisfied with the status quo. We must always challenge the status quo. As a party, if we want to move ahead, we must be ready to challenge the status quo,” charged Orengo. 

He went on: “What I am trying to say is that let’s build a society that is built on the Constitution and the rule of law. We can say many things but for me, I cannot be a praise singer. This Constitution that we fought for is a very difficult document to keep and if we keep on singing praises every time, we will not have a country. Tell your leaders the truth.” 

The governor also hit out at Ruto’s administration over the attempts to prevent Butere Girls’ High School from staging their controversial play Echoes of War. 

Constitutional rights 

“Neither students nor teacher shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.’ Congratulations Butere Girls,” said Orengo. Some Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party members are now calling out Orengo for opposing the broad-based government. 

During a funeral service, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi defended the broad-based government arrangement, explaining that he trusted the decision taken by Raila to sign a deal with President Ruto. 

“I want you to know that those of us who are mentored by Raila never go wrong because we believe in him. When the decision was made for us to join the government and help stabilize the country and economy, we could not doubt Raila whatsoever. I want to appeal to our leaders here to know that Raila is ever right,” said Wandayi.  

Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga charged that they were rightfully in the broad-based government and had no reason to pull out. 

“We joined the broad-based government to help you stabilize the government and we were not worried by those objecting to the new political formation. We are going to work together and those our friends who think otherwise should continue to think otherwise and we will remain friends with them,” said Oburu. 

On Tuesday at the National Assembly, Samuel Atandi (Alego/Usonga) took to the floor of the House to castigate Orengo, saying that he should concentrate in developing Siaya County as opposed to making comments about the National government. 

“We are in government and we are participating in creating policies for this government. We are supporting this government inside and outside parliament wherever we are. During a funeral in Siaya, my governor made certain remarks that were distasteful,” said Atandi. 

He went on: “I want to tell Governor Orengo that Luo’s were not created to stay in opposition. I know that he has been in opposition since he was born and there is nothing else he understands other than opposition. He is a poor manager, and the county that he is supposed to run is doing badly, we want to urge him to focus on running Siaya County.”