After the chaotic Linda Mwananchi movement rallies in Homa Bay, debate
has surfaced about the region’s political alignments and even development level compared
to other regions.
The state of roads in Homa Bay became an issue that sharply divided opinion on whether marginalisation of the region should be considered when examining development.
Currently, Siaya Governor James Orengo, who is the region’s senior most politician has broken ranks with his ODM. He’s leading a rebellion together with lawmakers Caroli Omondi of Suba South and Embakasi East’s Babu Owino.
Orengo, a renowned human rights advocate, is prominent in the Linda Mwananchi, calling for opposition unity and saying he is the remaining Raila Odinga, embodying the ideals of the former Prime Minister.
He is a senior ODM figures who opposes the party’s shared governance and cooperation with President William Ruto.
Honestly, it is important to ascertain whether Orengo’s brand of politics benefits the region’s current political and economic interests.
Raila’s deathon October 15 last year resulted in a kind of new dawn for the region in respect to realising which political partners have genuine interests in Nyanza’s development and growth and which partners are not motivated to achieve growth.
What exactly is Orengo protesting about in Ruto’s administration? I would begin by asking that simple question. Whenever Raila called his supporters to protest, his grievances were well spelt out. It could be electoral justice, cost of living, a new constitution or extra-judicial killings. His roadmap was clear.
The Siaya governor has gone around the country, including a visit to Homa Bay last Sunday that ended up in mayhem. In all his addresses everywhere, he has not articulated clear grievances worth fighting for.
Orengo’s impressive activism career cannot be overlooked when reflecting on the country’s democracy and constitutional gains. However, Orengo’s Luo community has suffered the brunt of politics that can easily be defined as outright betrayal.
Over the years, the Luo have been made to believe that they are the liberators of a republic with more than 40 tribes. The Luos have been made to see themselves as custodians of human rights and the opening of civic spaces, as other communities endlessly toast to eating the national bread.
Recently, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi gave out an interesting account of Orengo’s rebellious nature of politics. He claimed that in 1994 when Jaramogi Oginga Odinga died, Orengo was advised to assume the mantle of Luo Kingpin mantle as he was among the most senior Luo leaders at that time. He refused and insisted on supporting the Kijana Wamalwa instead.
This led to the scramble for Ford Kenya since Raila volunteered to assume the mantle after Orengo refused. Due to the scramble, the Raila faction decided to leave and form the National Development Party.
In 1997, Raila decided made his stab at the presidency using NDP but Orengo opposed him vigorously as he was in Ford Kenya by then. In 2002, Raila declared “Kibaki Tosha”, which Orengo opposed.
Orengo even vied for president in 2002 but failed spectacularly. Orengo was finished politically until he came back begging Raila to accept him. It is also said that the Siaya governor was not happy when Raila briefly handed over the party’s leadership to Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o while he sought the African Union Commission leadership.
In Orengo’s Siaya, Ruto’s administration is committed to life-changing development initiatives. Ruto’s development agenda in Siaya county involves multi-billion-shilling investments in housing, infrastructure, the blue economy and energy.
In infrastructure and blue economy, the administration is constructing the Usenge beach pier that will result in port infrastructure and a modern fish market costing Sh1 billion to stimulate the regional blue economy.
The administration is also constructing and upgrading roughly 300km of tarmac roads countywide to improve transport and local commerce.
Recently, the Ugunja-Sega-Ukwala Water Supply and Sanitation project was commissioned to serve more than 20,000 households. This will greatly alleviate the water challenges that have haunted households for decades.
Siaya, just like other counties, is a beneficiary of the housing, markets, and urban project under the affordable housing scheme. The projects are ongoing and thousands of affordable housing units are being rolled out in Alego-Usonga valued at billions of shillings.
The lakeside county is benefiting from construction of 25 to 28 integrated modern markets and trading hubs such as the Siaya integrated modern market phase i to support local traders.
In energy, the county is benefiting from an allocation of Sh1.6 billion under the Last Mile Electricity Programme to connect more than 16,000 households. Meantime, the Siaya Stadium is currently undergoing upgrading and completion to meet international standards.
If such development initiatives do not impress Orengo, then what could be driving him to a campaign undermining the region’s political and economic interests.
The writer is a Kisumu-based health consultant
