Interior PS Raymond Omollo and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi consult during a fundraiser at Ober Boys High School in Kabondo Kasipul constituency/Robert Omollo
Two senior state officials from Luo Nyanza have lashed out at Siaya Governor James Orengo for allegedly engaging members of the community in divisive politics.
The Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Opiyo Wandayi, and the Interior Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo, claimed that Orengo wants to take the community back to opposition politics, which they had abandoned.
Wandayi said Orengo was perpetrating hatred by hoodwinking residents into voting against President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Interior PS Raymond Omollo and other leaders in Ober Boys High School, Kabondo Kasipul constituency/Robert Omollo
They criticised Governor Orengo over his new move to campaign against Ruto's re-election despite the ODM leadership agreeing to support the President.
Wandayi said Orengo's politics was unfit for the development of the Luo Nyanza region, which has been discriminated against for a long time by previous regimes.
"It is high time Governor Orengo stopped retrogressive politics, which drags people behind. He should embrace modern politics, which is centred on development," Wandayi said.
Speaking during a fundraiser at Ober Boys High School in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency, Wandayi accused Orengo of abandoning his duties as governor to traverse various places in search of political relevance.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi during a fundraiser at Ober Boys High School in Kabondo Kasipul constituency/Robert Omollo
“Governor Orengo has abandoned his county to roam around aimlessly. Instead of working for the people of Siaya, he is walking around like a mad person,” he said.
He said his Energy docket had set aside Sh2.1 billion to connect 6,000 households in Homa Bay County to electricity during the current financial year.
"This is the first time we have had a president who is promoting development in our region, and we must support him," he added.
PS Omollo accused Orengo of levelling false accusations against President Ruto to perpetuate hatred against him.
He argued that Orengo was reviving old stories that were no longer helping members of the community.
"It is wrong for him to associate President Ruto with the murder of former trade unionist Tom Mboya. Mboya was killed before Ruto even began school, and I wonder how he is being associated with the murder," Omollo said.
He said elected leaders from all four Luo counties in Nyanza had agreed to work together to ensure Ruto's re-election.
The modalities include mobilising voter registration to boost the number of registered voters.
"All elected leaders in Nyanza have agreed to work together to ensure we vote overwhelmingly for President Ruto to secure his second term. Elections are won by numbers," the PS said.
He told Nyanza residents that Ruto was committed to implementing development projects in the region.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara and former Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga urged residents to register as voters in large numbers.
“Registering as voters will enable you to vote for candidates of your choice,” Obara said.
