By Anderson Ojwang
In a well-calculated and strategic move that could bring the political career of Siaya Governor James Orengo to a screeching halt, President William Ruto on Saturday hosted singing Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from Siaya in Eldoret.
President Ruto took his two-term drive right to the doorstep of his critic, Orengo, in what can be viewed as a political coup. The MCAs, led by Speaker George Okode, broke into a chorus at Eldoret State Lodge, singing “Ruto two term” while dancing and clapping.
Orengo, who is currently out of the country on a private engagement, found himself isolated and politically exposed, with many observers terming the moment as payback time.
In Siaya County, two significant political developments occurred on Friday. Orengo’s deputy and bitter rival, Dr William Oduol, declared his interest in the 2027 gubernatorial race on the ODM ticket and pledged support for the broad-based government arrangement.
At the burial of ODM party leader Dr Oburu Odinga’s maternal aunt in Alego, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, National Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Sam Atandi and Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor took the battle straight to Orengo’s doorstep, promising him “premium tears.”
On Saturday, Wandayi and Atandi led the MCAs to Eldoret to meet President Ruto in what many view as the final onslaught on the governor.
In Siaya County politics, Orengo has fallen out with most of his former allies, including Atandi, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Wandayi and Oduol. He currently enjoys the support of only Rarieda MP Dr Otiende Amollo. Speaker Okode is said to control the MCAs, while Orengo reportedly has only three loyal MCAs who accompany him to his functions.
President Ruto wrote on his X handle:
“Met Siaya County Assembly members, led by Speaker George Owino Okode, at Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu. Our discussions centered on aligning development programmes with the county’s priorities, while making strategic investments to unlock Siaya’s full potential. We agreed on the need to accelerate ongoing projects and fast-track planned initiatives to ensure development delivers real impact for the people.”
Aduma dismissed a recent meeting held by a section of party members and officials, including Orengo, terming it an attempt to undermine Dr Oburu Odinga.
Atandi declared an all-out onslaught on Orengo and promised what he termed “premium tears” at the end.
“There is a problem. There are people who think that Dr Oburu is not capable of being party leader and that we should remove him. They even had the audacity to call a meeting to discuss ODM issues in the absence of Dr Oburu, the party leader. That is undermining Oburu and we cannot stomach it.
I said in Bondo that Siaya politics will be bare-knuckle with those undermining Oburu. Let them not come crying when it is too late,” Atandi said.
Wandayi said it was wrong for a leader to blow hot and cold on issues and to perpetually sit on the fence.
“The matter of ODM leadership was settled at the NDC, and anybody imagining a vacuum in party leadership is day-dreaming. Nothing can happen unless you are the one leading. Who are you? We cannot allow that, and we shall deal with you squarely,” he said.
Orengo now appears to be staring at the same cold dose he once served his deputy, William Oduol, when the county assembly impeached him before he was saved by the Senate.
Orengo is aligned with a Mama Ida Odinga-led group within the party, which recently met in Nairobi after Ida asked the party leadership to embrace dialogue and avoid killing ODM through internal wrangles.
Last year, Orengo survived an impeachment attempt by the MCAs after the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga intervened and held talks with the dissenting members. Orengo later met the MCAs to resolve the dispute, but he has never regained control of the assembly. Most MCAs owe allegiance to Speaker Okode, while Orengo reportedly commands the loyalty of only three.
Sources claim there could be a renewed plot to impeach Orengo over his constant opposition to the broad-based government arrangement.
Oduol on Friday formally declared his interest in the Siaya gubernatorial race on the ODM ticket.
“Today, the 2013 Siaya Manyien dream has been reactivated and I declare my candidature for the Siaya gubernatorial seat. My candidature was blessed by bishops and priests, and I am confident of winning the elections,” he said in an interview.
Oduol said he would, at the appropriate time, present himself for ODM nominations alongside other interested candidates in the true spirit of democracy within the party.
“I remain a strong supporter of the broad-based government arrangement, which I firmly believe offers the surest path to unity, stability and meaningful transformation for the great people of Siaya,” he said.
Atandi said mainstream ODM was working with President Ruto, noting that only a few leaders were opposed to the broad-based arrangement.
“We are not going to send anyone away, but when party organs ratify engagement with Ruto, those who are uncomfortable will simply walk away on their own,” he said.
After the 2022 elections, a fallout occurred between Orengo and Oduol over alleged corruption and other malpractices in the county administration. The Siaya County Assembly passed a motion to impeach Oduol, but the Senate rescued him and gave him a new lease of political life.
“The office of the deputy governor has been completely disabled. All staff have been directed not to communicate with or take instructions from the DG. I am not invited to cabinet meetings, and my benefits and allowances were withdrawn, including fuel for my official vehicle,” Oduol said.
Oduol added that his attempts to reconcile with Orengo had been rebuffed, forcing him to take a back seat and watch from the sidelines.
The question now is whether Orengo can survive a possible impeachment motion by the county assembly in the absence of Raila Odinga’s influence.
