Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi and Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode during a recent meeting in Nairobi/ HANDOUT
The battle to succeed Siaya Governor James Orengo is rapidly turning into a heavyweight political contest ahead of next year's elections.
Siaya county assembly speaker George Okode has become the latest big name to throw his hat into the ring.
Okode’s entry brings to four the number of senior politicians openly positioning themselves for the governor’s seat.
This has set the stage for a bruising fight for the ODM ticket ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Deputy Governor William Oduol, Ugenya MP David Ochieng and former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo are already campaigning for the seat.
Orengo is widely expected not to seek re-election after his fallout with ODM leadership. He had declared interest in running for president.
Okode, who has served as speaker of the Siaya assembly since its inception, confirmed he will seek the governorship on an ODM ticket.
“Yes, it is true. I am going for the governor's seat on an ODM ticket,” Okode told the Star.
The speaker, who hails from Rarieda, is banking on his long experience at the helm of the county assembly as he seeks to convince voters that he can provide the leadership needed to steer Siaya.
He has stepped up his political activities in recent weeks, holding a series of meetings with national elected leaders, county politicians and ODM officials as he prepares for what is likely to be a fiercely contested nomination.
“I’m a team player. That is why I am meeting various leaders and opinion leaders. For me to be successful, I have to listen to the people and consult widely,” he said.
“If the leaders say we have consensus and agree well and good, but when there is no consensus, then the people of Siaya will decide in the nomination for the ODM ticket.”
Earlier this week, Okode met Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, an influential political figure in Siaya and within ODM.
He has also held talks with Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo and Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda.
But Okode faces strong competition from within the ODM ranks.
Oduol, Orengo’s deputy, has also declared his intention to seek the ODM ticket.
His relationship with Orengo deteriorated during the current administration, culminating in his impeachment by the county assembly. The Senate, however, overturned the impeachment.
“I'm running for governor of Siaya county. The party is ODM; that's my party of choice. It's the party that I've always run with,” Oduol said.
Oduol has sought to portray himself as a candidate with both private and public-sector experience, while presenting his differences with Orengo as evidence of his commitment to accountability.
“I have a unique mix of skills, having worked in the private sector at CEO level. And now having had an experience of public sector, and worked with James Orengo in the earlier years, the days. And, you know, I am known for my insistence on good governance and accountability.”
Oduol said his disagreements with Orengo were rooted in his opposition to what he described as misuse of public resources.
Former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo has also thrown his hat into the ring, setting up another battle within ODM.
Gumbo announced his bid during a rally in Siaya where ODM leader Oburu Oginga formally welcomed him back to the party months after he rejoined from the United Democratic Movement.
Gumbo left ODM for UDM in 2022 after losing the party’s gubernatorial nominations.
He subsequently contested the governorship on a UDM ticket, but lost to Orengo in the August 2022 election.
On his return, Gumbo immediately declared his ambitions.
Outside ODM, Ochieng is building his bid around his MDG party.
The Ugenya MP has repeatedly defied political expectations by winning elections on the Movement for Democracy and Growth ticket.
He insists he does not need the backing of ODM or any individual political heavyweight to win the governor’s seat.
“I believe I have the capacity, the ability and the competence,” Ochieng told supporters. “I don’t need any party. I don’t need ODM; I don’t need Oburu or anybody. I just need the people who are here with me today.”
Both Gumbo and Okode come from Rarieda, while Oduol hails from Alego Usonga, the county’s largest constituency. Ochieng comes from Ugenya.
Siaya’s pioneer governor, Cornel Rasanga, also came from Alego Usonga.
