Nyanza professionals take on Orengo over anti-Ruto utterances

Siaya governor James Orengo is on the receiving end over his incessant utterances against President William Ruto.

A section of professionals from the four Luo Nyanza counties have joined in publicly calling out the governor, saying he is not only embarrassing the region but also ODM supremo Raila Odinga.

Under the Ramogi Professional Caucus, the group - led by lawyer Joshua Nyamori and elder Omolo Ochilo - comprises members from diverse sectors including academia, business, law and civil society and communication.

“The outburst last Saturday was meant to cause maximum embarrassment to Rt Hon Odinga and President Ruto. We are glad they took it in their stride,” Ochilo said during a press conference in a Nairobi hotel on Wednesday.

“We demand that Orengo apologise to the Luo nation, to Rt Hon Raila Odinga and to President Ruto about his unfortunate remarks and conduct at Ramba Secondary School last Saturday. We are here to tell Orengo that we view his approach to politics as archaic and an impediment to the progress of the Luo nation.”

During the burial of Raila’s bodyguard George Oduor on Saturday, Orengo said he would not join the “praise-singing bandwagon” for the current administration.

The county boss also told the region not to “beg for development” from the President, insisting it is their right as taxpayers.

“Surely, what kind of a leader begins a confrontation with a man, in this case the President of the country, who has only come to help you bury your son?” posed Ochilo.

They said Orengo’s persistent attacks on the President are not only counterproductive but also belittle the interventions the government has done in the area.

“We are concerned that the words uttered by Orengo sent the wrong message that the Luo Community is at war or is preparing to be at war with the government,” Nyamori said.

“We are here to make it clear that Orengo was not speaking and does not ever speak for the Luo nation. The position of the Luo nation with regard to the broad-based government is the one that Hon Raila Odinga stated by signing an agreement with the President in broad daylight.” 

He reiterated their support for the agreement, adding that the views Orengo expressed were his own and were driven by fear for his own future. 

“Orengo's outburst further created the very false impression that the Luo nation does not approve of the coming together of President William Ruto and Rt Hon Raila Odinga to form the inclusive broad-based government that is seeking to bring all Kenyans to the table. Orengo is jealous that Opiyo Wandayi and John Mbadi are Cabinet Secretaries,” Nyamori said.

“We are here to assure President William Ruto and Rt Hon Raila Odinga that as professionals, we approve their pact without any reservations whatsoever because it has stabilised the nation, conferred tangible benefits on the community, brought all communities to the table and seems poised to correct the many wrongs that many communities have suffered under past regimes.”

Orengo’s remarks could lead to the region’s exclusion from national development and demanded that the county boss publicly apologise to the community and the two political titans.

“We demand that Orengo makes an apology and if he fails to do that then Siaya MCAs out of their own volition may find it fit to initiate a censure motion or impeachment proceedings against him,” Foreign Affairs expert Gordon K’acholla said.

This is not the first time Orengo has fired salvos at the President.

Since the broad-based government was birthed, the governor has been critical of the process, including the co-opting of some ODM members to the Cabinet.

Tensions between Ruto and Nyanza political elites have remained high since the 2022 general election, which saw the region overwhelmingly vote for Raila.

However, the President has made multiple overtures to the region, launching development projects and pledging inclusion — efforts the professionals say must be reciprocated with political sobriety.