By James Okoth

When a group of Siaya County MCAs met President William Ruto, they broke into a spontaneous “tutam” song, a vibrant chorus pledging support and affirming Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027. The moment was cheerful, symbolic and politically charged.

In a county long regarded as the political sanctuary of the late Raila Odinga, the scene was startling. Siaya has for decades stood as the stronghold of the Orange Democratic Movement with Governor James Orengo serving as one of the most loyal custodians of Odinga’s legacy. The MCAs’ open admiration for Ruto instantly ignited speculation that the meeting was more than a courtesy call and perhaps a move to weaken Orengo’s administration from within.

West Gem Ward Representative Susan Okwiry quickly moved to calm the storm. “There is nothing like the impeachment of Governor James Orengo,” she stated firmly. Okwiry, who has expressed interest in the Siaya County Woman Representative seat, maintained that the visit was purely about development and collaboration, not political betrayal.

Her remarks, however, did little to silence the talk. In Siaya’s charged political atmosphere, even symbolism carries the power of disruption. The songs, the smiles and the pledges of loyalty have already triggered waves of interpretation across the county’s political circles.

If the meeting was part of an impeachment scheme, it would represent an audacious challenge to the structures the late Odinga built. Unseating Orengo would be tantamount to striking at the heart of ODM’s ideological command. It would also signal a daring shift within Siaya, where loyalty to the Odinga name has long defined political survival.

Such a move would hand Ruto a significant symbolic victory in the very territory that has historically resisted him. For the MCAs, the decision to align with Ruto would be both risky and strategic. Risky because of possible backlash from ODM loyalists, yet strategic because access to the presidency often translates into access to resources.

If, on the other hand, the meeting had no connection to impeachment, it still holds deep political meaning. County leaders increasingly view engagement with the presidency as a path to unlocking stalled projects and securing development funding. Pragmatism, not rebellion, could have driven the visit.

From that perspective, the gathering may represent a quiet shift in political thinking. The age of strict party loyalty is giving way to an era where development interests override partisan divides. Siaya’s leaders might simply be reading the new political script of survival in modern Kenya.

Yet the optics linger. The tutam song, the cheers for Ruto and Okwiry’s swift denial have combined to mark a new chapter in Siaya’s political story. Whether it was a test of loyalty or a quest for partnership, the visit has unsettled the traditional order.

Governor Orengo remains calm for now. But the meeting has introduced a silent contest of allegiance and ambition. Beneath the surface, the legacy of the late Raila Odinga still looms large, even as a new generation of leaders begins to dance to a different rhythm.

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.

By Anderson Ojwang

Could Siaya Governor James Orengo be staring at being served with the same cold dose he once served his deputy, William Oduol, when the County Assembly impeached him but he was saved by the Senate?

The politics of Siaya County is likely to take a complete turn today after Members of the County Assembly were led to Eldoret State Lodge to meet President William Ruto.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr Oburu Odinga, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, National Assembly Budget Chairperson Sam Atandi, and Speaker George Okode led the delegation to meet the President.

Siaya Governor James Orengo was conspicuously absent from the trip and is said to have travelled out of the country on a private engagement.

Sources told Western Insight that Orengo travelled outside the country on Wednesday night, while today Oburu led the delegation to the State Lodge in Eldoret.

Orengo and the Oburu-led team from Siaya, including Atandi and Wandayi, have sharply differed over the broad-based government and party leadership.

Orengo leans towards the Mama Ida Odinga-led group in the party, which recently met in Nairobi after Ida asked the party leadership to embrace dialogue and avoid killing the party.

Last year, Orengo survived impeachment by the MCAs after the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga intervened and held a meeting with the dissenting MCAs.

Orengo later met with the MCAs to resolve the dispute but has never regained control of the Assembly. A majority of the MCAs owe allegiance to Speaker Okode, while Orengo reportedly has only three MCAs who are loyal to him and accompany him to his functions.

Sources have claimed there is a possible plot to impeach Orengo over his constant opposition to the broad-based government arrangement.

Wandayi, who spoke at a funeral in Alego, took a swipe at a leader who blows hot and cold on issues.

Wandayi said it was wrong for a leader to blow hot and cold on issues and perpetually sit on the fence.

“The matter of ODM leadership was settled at the NDC, and anybody imagining a vacuum in the party leadership is daydreaming. It cannot be that unless you are the one leading, nothing can happen. Who are you? We cannot allow you, and we shall deal with you squarely,” he said.

Interestingly, Orengo’s deputy, Dr William Oduol, on Friday declared his interest in the Siaya gubernatorial race on an ODM ticket.

When contacted on whether he travelled to Eldoret with the MCAs and if he was aware of a plot to impeach Orengo, Oduol wrote: “I am in funerals today.”

“Today, the 2013 Siaya Manyien has been reactivated, and I declare my candidature for the Siaya gubernatorial seat. My candidature was blessed by the bishops and the priests, and I am confident of winning the elections,” he said in an interview.

Oduol said that at the appropriate time, he will present himself for ODM nomination 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 the mainstream ODM was working with President Ruto and that there are a few leaders who are not interested in the broad-based arrangement.

“We are not going to send you away, but when party organs make a ratification in engagement with Ruto, you will just walk away on your own,” Atandi said.

After the election, a fallout occurred between Orengo and Oduol over alleged corruption in the administration and other malpractices.

The Siaya County Assembly passed a motion to impeach Oduol, but the Senate rescued him from the jaws of his enemies and gave him a new lease of life.

“The office of the Deputy Governor has completely been disabled. All staff have been directed not to communicate or take instructions from the DG. The DG is not invited to Cabinet meetings, and his benefits and allowances have been withdrawn, including fuelling his official county car, which he now does on his own,” Oduol said.

Oduol said his attempts to reconcile with Orengo have been rebuffed, forcing him to take a back seat and watch from the sidelines.

“I have made many attempts to reach out to Orengo without any luck. I have decided to take a back seat, but I am happy that I have been vindicated. All the MPs from Siaya have raised the same issues that I raised in 2022 over lack of leadership, graft, lethargy, and a hands-off management style, among many others,” he said.

By Sandra Blessing

The battle for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat went a notch higher after Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga told his boss, Governor Gladys Wanga, that she is a one-term governor and a failure.

The deputy governor said Wanga has failed to manage the county and that the county is in shambles, incapable of paying contractors and securing basic necessities for the daily running of offices.

Magwanga told Wanga that she is an ungrateful person to the people who helped her become governor in the 2022 general elections and that her time is up.

“Wanga is a one-term governor and her time is up. I sacrificed for you to be the governor, but you are a very ungrateful person. Now it is time for payback,” he said.

But when Wanga was contacted for an interview, she did not pick her calls or respond to our text messages.

The lobbying and President Uhuru factor in the 2022 elections

Magwanga claimed Wanga had to seek the intervention of Mama Ngina Kenyatta, then President Uhuru Kenyatta, Charity Ngilu, Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i, and Francis Atwoli, among others, who arm-twisted Raila Odinga to endorse her candidacy.

He said Ngilu and Karua coined the gender issue that made Raila force gubernatorial aspirants to step down in her favour.

“It is unfortunate that when Raila died, at his burial she never recognised those who supported her to become the governor. She never mentioned them at the burial, and that spoke volumes,” he said.

Wanga’s memo to Magwanga

Wanga and Magwanga’s fallout began immediately after the elections, with the governor pushing her deputy to the periphery of management and refusing to honour the memorandum of understanding (MOU) they signed before Raila.

In 2023, Wanga went ahead to serve Magwanga with a memo to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against him over a donor project, for which the coordinator was responsible.

“The Governor knew very well about the chicken breeding project, sponsored by NAGRIP, and I told her that we inherited the project from the previous regime when it already had its own problems and procedures.
She needed to ask the coordinator, but instead, being malicious, she gave me a memo. That was very disrespectful. This was meant to demean my person, and she got the best reply,” he said.

Deputy Governor’s office remains closed

Magwanga’s office has remained closed since the fallout last year, after Wanga relieved him of his duties as CEC for Agriculture and Livestock Development.

“My office still remains closed, and my staff have no access to it. What kind of management is this? You cannot close a public office to deny the holder access. This is a violation of the Constitution. But it is just a matter of time before the people of Homa Bay lock you out through the ballot. Your time is up, and you are going home,” he said.

“This was a calculated political power play aimed directly at undermining my office and obstructing the functions of county governance. We must remember that no individual holds a public office as personal property. These offices are held temporarily on behalf of the people,” he added.

CEC changes

Magwanga said the decision by Wanga to sack CEC Dr Peter Ogalo, who was in charge of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, and to nominate Joseph Mitito as his replacement was an abuse of the MOU they signed and a direct assault on him.

Ogalo recently obtained a court order restraining the governor from filling the post until the matter is concluded.

Magwanga said by sacking Dr Peter Ogalo, Wanga had reneged on a pre-election pact they signed before the late Raila Odinga and that she was using the absence of the former Prime Minister to dishonour the agreement.

“It is me who brought Ogalo to the Cabinet. Sacking him without any consultation or reason is a direct affront to me. Let’s see how this will end,” he said.

On her X handle, Wanga wrote: “Official announcement: We’ve made changes to the membership of the County Executive Committee, effective immediately. This restructuring initiates a new phase of focused administration for our county.”

The explosion

The battle between Wanga and Magwanga exploded during the Kasipul by-election, where the former campaigned for ODM candidate Boyd Were, who defeated independent candidate Philip Aroko.

Last year, Wanga admitted there was a split in her government and promised to crack the whip on those who do not want to work but speak badly about her administration while serving in it.

Speaking at a funeral in Homa Bay, Wanga said she was adequately prepared to face her opponents for the gubernatorial seat in 2027, in what she termed a “battle royal.”

Wanga asked those who are not happy with her administration to pack and go so that she can bring in new people.

“To chieng’ ma owinjo ni sirkal rach ma ok onyal tiyo, to ogwe tawo oweyo mondo jakanyada machielo bedi. Mano e kaka gini timore. Koso jo Kanyada orumo ma nyalo tiyo.”
(If they are not happy with the government, let them resign and leave so that we can bring in new people from Kanyada who can work with me.)

By Anderson Ojwang

The chicken may finally be coming home to roost, and the truth behind the brainchild of the formation of the broad-based arrangements is beginning to unravel.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, chose the home of his grandfather, Kodima, in Alego, to respond to his critics over the delicate management of the broad-based arrangement, which was between President William Ruto of UDA and the late Raila Amolo Odinga of ODM.

During the ODM celebrations held last November in Mombasa, Winnie called for the National Delegates Conference (NDC) to choose a new team to manage the broad-based arrangement with President William Ruto.

“There is something I wanted to tell you. When it came to the matter of the broad-based government, the people of ODM entrusted one person with the management of that relationship. That person was Baba Raila Amolo Odinga.
That relationship is complicated, and therefore we are looking and wondering: those who are taking it upon themselves to manage it now, are they capable of managing that relationship?
I don’t think that is the question for me to answer. That is the question for the people of ODM to answer. That is why the party leader is requesting that we go back to the people and have an NDC to see who the people want to pick to manage that same relationship,” she said.

The Chairman

But on Friday, Oburu opened the lid of the can by declaring that he has been the one chairing all the broad-based meetings between Raila and Ruto, which probably makes him the brainchild and the chief negotiator of the arrangement.

“Those who are saying that Oburu is not validly elected, I challenge them. If they say it is the NDC, let us go with them to the NDC, and I will call it very soon,” he said.

Oburu said he is the one who has been chairing all the broad-based arrangements between Ruto and the late Raila.

“Those who are saying Oburu does not talk are talking nonsense. In this broad-based arrangement, I want to assure those who are saying that it was only Raila who could handle it and that Oburu does not know anything about it.
I want to tell them that all the meetings of the broad-based arrangements with Ruto, the chairman has been Oburu Odinga before you here today,” he said.

How Oburu presided over the broad-based Cabinet appointments

Dr Oburu revealed that the meeting which culminated in the appointment of ODM experts into President Ruto’s Cabinet was chaired by him.

He negotiated for the Cabinet slots and the 14 Permanent Secretary positions.

“I have been the chairman of the meetings, including the one which appointed Opiyo Wandayi, John Mbadi, and Hassan Joho to the Cabinet.
I want to tell you that we currently have 14 Permanent Secretaries in this government, as well as directors. We got into this government by accident because the government was shaken by Gen Z,” he said.

Establishment of a team to negotiate with UDA for 2027

Dr Oburu said ODM will form a team to negotiate with President Ruto on new coalition alliance terms. He said the first preference will be given to President Ruto.

“Now, as we approach 2027, we are not going to get into government through the back door. We are going to have a negotiated arrangement, which will be headed by me.
It will not be an easy negotiation but a tough one. We will get our share. 2026 is the year of negotiations for any arrangements.
Either we go into partnership with UDA or any other party.
We will soon establish a negotiation team and start negotiating with others because it is difficult for a party to go it alone without seeking the support of other parties.
The negotiations will start with our current partners in the broad-based arrangement. We shall only go to the others if we do not agree,” he said.

The catch and the way out

As Dr Oburu prepares to unveil the team, will he be leading a faction in a divided house, or will he accommodate dissenting voices, harmonise, and unite the party before engaging in the negotiations?

During Raila’s posthumous birthday, his wife, Mama Ida Odinga, asked the party leadership not to kill the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

She asked the party leadership to prioritise dialogue over wrangles to avoid disintegration and to preserve Raila’s legacy.

“It is my wish that we can preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to our country. I want to appeal to those Baba left in the leadership of the party to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and for our country,” she said.

Ida said Raila always consulted on party matters, and this provided room to find solutions to any emerging disputes in the party.

“Baba had a love for ODM. Baba ran ODM with dedication, firm and fair hands. Raila ran ODM on the principle of constant consultations and always referring to the people,” she said.

Ida challenged the current leaders in the party to give dialogue a chance and follow Raila’s footsteps in resolving disputes within the party.

“Let us solve the problems of the party by always asking ourselves: what would Baba do under these circumstances?
I guess your guess is as good as mine. I am sure Baba would tell us to sit down and talk, and that is my wish—to sit down and talk out our differences,” she said.

By Anderson Ojwang

The battle for the Siaya gubernatorial seat has taken shape after Deputy Governor Dr William Oduol Denge declared his candidature for the seat in the 2027 General Election.

Oduol, in a move to reclaim his 2013 dream of Siaya Manyien, declared his interest during interdenominational prayers attended by over 3,000 pastors and bishops drawn from across the county.

“Today, the 2013 Siaya Manyien is reactivated, and I declare my candidature for the Siaya gubernatorial seat. My candidature was blessed by the bishops and the priests, and I am confident of winning the election,” he said in an interview.

Oduol said the 2022 manifesto of Governor James Orengo was largely his idea and that he wants to implement it in 2027 when he is elected as the third governor of Siaya.

“Today, I was honoured to host interdenominational prayers at my home, led by independent churches from various wards, as we committed the New Year to God and sought guidance for the journey ahead.”

Oduol declared his gubernatorial interest on an ODM ticket and aligned himself with the wing of the broad-based government headed by the party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga.

“On this occasion, I also took the opportunity to declare my intention to vie for the position of governor in 2027 on an ODM ticket,” he said.

Oduol said that at the appropriate time, he would present himself for nomination 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.

He took a swipe at Orengo, saying Siaya County needs a governance expert — a proven administrator capable of delivering rapid, people-centred transformation — and not political activists.

“I am confident that together, we can make this dream a reality. We are firmly on course towards realising the dream of Siaya Manyien,” he said.

Oduol has been the county’s forgotten deputy governor, pushed to the periphery by the powers that be at the county government. He survived an impeachment, and the Orengo administration effectively banished him from government, although he enjoys massive support across the county.

Despite his contribution to the election victory, Oduol has remained an unwanted man, scorned and disliked at the county government for his alleged anti-corruption crusade and a fallout with Orengo.

For the second time in his political career, Oduol became a victim of political power after he was denied victory in the 2013 Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nomination for the governor’s seat. The party leadership opted to award the certificate to the little-known Cornel Rasanga Amoth, who went on to serve for two terms.

Rasanga won the contested gubernatorial election, but his victory was short-lived after the Kisumu High Court nullified the results. In the repeat election, Rasanga won again, while Oduol took a political break in 2017.

However, in the 2022 General Election, ODM and Orengo recruited Oduol into their camp and made him the running mate, a move that catapulted them to victory.

After the election, a fallout between Orengo and Oduol emerged over alleged corruption in the administration and other malpractices. The Siaya County Assembly passed a motion to impeach Oduol, but the Senate rescued him from the jaws of his political enemies, giving him a new lease of 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. The DG is not invited to cabinet meetings, and his benefits and allowances have been withdrawn, including fuel for his official county vehicle,” Oduol said.

Oduol said his attempts to reconcile with Orengo had been rebuffed, forcing him to take a back seat and observe from the sidelines.

“I have made many attempts to reach out to Orengo without any success. I have decided to take a back seat, but I am happy that I have been vindicated. All the MPs from Siaya have raised the same issues I raised in 2022 — over lack of leadership, graft, lethargy and a hands-off management style, among many others,” he said.