Orengo: We were not chased away from burial in Seme

Siaya Governor James Orengo has dismissed reports that he and his entourage were chased away from the burial of Mzee Eliud Nyikal Okaka, terming the claims as misleading and inaccurate.

In a statement posted on his X account, Orengo clarified that his team left the venue voluntarily after key figures presiding over the ceremony had already exited.

“We departed because the presiding Bishop and Seme MP James Nyikal had already left to proceed with the burial of his father,” Orengo said.

His remarks come amid reports by some media outlets suggesting that the governor had been forced out of the funeral, which was held at Ridore Primary School in Seme, Kisumu County.

Orengo maintained that their presence at the ceremony was solely to condole with the bereaved family and stand in solidarity during their moment of grief.

“Our sole purpose for attending the ceremony was to offer our condolences and stand in solidarity with the family,” he said.

He further noted that after leaving the venue, his team proceeded to the airport without incident.

“Remaining unbowed, we left the service and arrived safely at the airport to return to Nairobi,” he added.

The governor explained that his travel plans were also tied to preparations for the upcoming East Africa Local Authorities Sports and Cultural Association (EALASCA) Festival, which is set to begin on Monday, May 4, 2026, in Mombasa.

“I am proud to confirm that Siaya County will be participating in the upcoming events and I will be joining them as the Patron of KICOSCA,” Orengo stated.

He added that while at the airport, he interacted with members of the public before boarding his flight. 

“While at the airport, we enjoyed a warm reception and spent time engaging with the locals before boarding,” he said.

The burial ceremony, however, was briefly disrupted after rival groups of mourners engaged in confrontations, forcing clergy to cut the service short.

The situation escalated to the point where religious leaders called for an immediate burial without speeches in order to restore calm and preserve dignity.

Anyang’ Nyong’o intervened to calm tensions as emotions flared among mourners, helping to restore a measure of order during the chaotic moment.

Despite the disruption, the burial proceeded under heightened tension, underscoring the growing trend of political rivalry spilling into public and social events.

Several leaders attended the ceremony, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, as friends, family, and political figures gathered to pay their last respects.

Mzee Okaka, the father to MP James Nyikal, died at the age of 104.