By Anderson Ojwang
From public demands and rumours over his alleged demise, Siaya Governor James Orengo is a resurrected man, a political thorn in the flesh not only in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) but to President William Ruto and nationally.
From an outsider in the political negotiation at the high table of national politics to a major player at the altar of the determination of the opposition presidential candidate.
From holding no political leadership role in ODM to a self-declared de facto leader of the party causing the de jure party leader Dr Oburu Oginga sleepless nights.
In August last year, in Karachuonyo, at the burial of the matriarch Mama Phoebe Muga Asiyo, a rebirth of Orengo was marked. When mourners and the public did not expect him to appear at the funeral, Orengo arrived to a rousing welcome.
There had been rumours of his death, resignation as Siaya Governor over ill health, and a demand by a section of residents who had written a letter demanding his whereabouts.
Equally, the residents had demanded that his deputy, Dr Oduol Denge, should take over the running of the county during his absence.
But at the burial, marked the return of Nyatieng. He apologised for arriving late and announced that he was alive and fit as a fiddle.
“I am sorry I have arrived late. I am with you in all that has been said. I want to reiterate that I am alive. I am a stone, and there is nowhere I am going,” he said.
It took the intervention of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who criticised individuals for allegedly spreading malicious rumours and wishing death upon Orengo when he was out of the country for more than one month.
Raila termed the behaviour as primitive and likened the perpetrators to “witches.”
He expressed dismay over the false claims that Orengo had resigned, labelling the propaganda as deeply irresponsible.
“I was in constant communication with Governor Orengo throughout his time abroad and don’t understand the motives behind those who circulated such misinformation,” said the ODM leader.
“Orengo has returned to the country in good health and is more energised than ever.”
And Nyatieng’s return has opened a new chapter in Kenya’s politics and set a different political path.
The battle for Nyanza and ODM
After the death of Raila, Orengo had his eyes on controlling Nyanza politics, and with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, they have destabilised the status quo.
Orengo has constantly rattled Dr Oburu and ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga’s hold on Luo leadership with series of rallies and meet-the-people tours.
The recent successful Linda Mwananchi rally in Kisumu rattled and changed the political status quo and threw Linda Ground into three weeks of planning to hold last week’s rally.
Linda Ground used Sh200 million to mobilise for the rally, while Orengo’s rally was organic, as he continues to receive a warm reception across Nyanza on his tours.
At the recent Kisumu rally, Dr Oburu told the crowd that he was ready to quit as the ODM party leader to avoid dividing the Luo community, to the chagrin and dismay of his allies.
“An ok ahero gima ilaro ma pogo oganda (I don’t like things people fight over that divide the community). An adwaro ni gimora amora ka oponi an ema de apog oganda to ayie weyo (If it’s me who is bringing division to the community, I am ready to quit). Ka pon ni an ema de apog ogandawa to ayie weyo (If it’s me who is the cause of division, then I am ready to quit).”
Orengo also gave conditions for his reconciliation and negotiation with Dr Oburu to avert the party from splitting.
The Siaya rumbles
Orengo has also come under a barrage of attacks from Alego MP Sam Atandi, CS Opiyo Wandayi, and John Mbadi, among others.
Plots to impeach Orengo have failed to materialise, with Atandi asking Orengo to retire from politics.
“Our community has had politicians who have been around since Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. They were with Jaramogi when he was alive. They were trying to help Jaramogi to become president; they failed. Then Raila Amolo Odinga adopted them; they tried to help Raila to become president. They also failed. Now that Raila Amolo Odinga has moved on, they still want to give us direction. I want to tell those politicians that your time is up. You will not give us direction now. Now we have a team of young competent leaders,” Atandi said then.
Broad-Based Government
Orengo has voiced his disapproval of the broad-based government and opposition to President William Ruto. He has given a wide berth to Ruto’s political engagements in Nyanza and Siaya County and only attended development engagements by the President in his county.
Orengo said: “There is no way that ODM can mbeleza Ruto. I can tell you. But if ODM is strong and you stand on the basis of your leader Raila Amolo Odinga, he wanted a strong and free country. We must fight everywhere. For me, if there are cowards, don’t sell us fear. We are prepared to go back to the streets. I, James Orengo, am prepared to go back to the streets.”
Wandayi said the community will remain in the broad-based government and support President Ruto’s re-election.
“We are going to move forward as one united people. We will walk together as members of the ODM party and as people belonging to this government, the broad-based government. This unity means a lot to our people,” Wandayi said.
In the Kisumu rally meeting, read by Wanga, it was resolved that ODM will negotiate with UDA for a pre-election coalition and support President Ruto’s second term.
Wantam
For President Ruto, the Siaya Governor has become one of his fiercest critics and the mover of the “Wantam” crusade.
Orengo has been holding a series of meetings with various leaders across the country with a view to negating President Ruto’s second term.
After the recent rally in Machakos, Orengo wrote: “Mlolongo mmesema WANTAM! Na sisi tumeskia hiyo nduru. Mnadai viongozi wanaowatambua na wanaowatetea, na Linda Mwananchi iko hapa kwa ajili yenu.”
The reincarnated Orengo finds himself on the right side of history and currently walking to inherit the Luo constituency and playing in the national league, which he has yearned for.
His reincarnation places him ahead of Dr Oburu and other ODM leadership and may just have a say in ODM’s strongholds.
