As the race for Siaya’s governorship in 2027 gains momentum, Ugenya MP and MDG Party leader David Ouma Ochieng finds himself battling not only political rivals — but also his own words.
Two years ago, at a fundraiser in Chwele Girls’ High School, Bungoma County, Ochieng reportedly told the large crowd in fluent Luhya:
“Esye ndi Muluhya (I am a Luhya). I’m just an MP in Luoland but I am a Luhya from Marachi. We Luhyas must make our presence felt by coming together. We are so numerous, in fact, we are more than Kikuyus.”
At the time, the remark drew laughter and applause from the largely Western Kenya crowd. But today, it has resurfaced — and could shape the trajectory of Ochieng’s political future in Siaya County.
https://youtu.be/QqKZZqqaBTU?si=EB7xk_vGf0dMzUyf
The tribal storm
In Siaya, a county where ethnic identity remains a central pillar of local politics, Ochieng’s declaration has triggered sharp debate. His critics argue that by calling himself Luhya, he effectively disqualified himself from leading a county that has, since time immemorial, been politically and culturally Luo.
“All previous Siaya governors — Cornel Rasanga and James Orengo — have been Luo,” notes political analyst Peter Amolo. “Voters in rural counties often view leadership through the lens of community identity. Ochieng’s comment gives rivals an easy narrative: that he’s an outsider seeking to rule a land that’s not his.”
While Kenya’s Constitution allows any citizen to vie for elective office anywhere, local politics tend to operate by unwritten ethnic arithmetic. In cosmopolitan areas like Nairobi or Mombasa, diversity in leadership is common. But in rural strongholds like Siaya, tribal homogeneity often guides voter behaviour, regardless of merit.
No documented evidence — but the damage is real
A review of public records, voter rolls, and parliamentary profiles shows no official documentation tying Ochieng to the Luhya community or to the Marachi clan of Busia County, as he claims.
His official biography and earlier interviews trace his roots to Ugenya in Siaya County, where he was born, raised, and educated. All credible media profiles — including those by The Nation and The Star — describe him as a Siaya politician, not as a Luhya transplant.
However, politics is often less about documentation and more about perception — and perception, analysts say, has turned against him.
“Ochieng’s biggest challenge isn’t proving his ethnicity,” says Kisumu-based political scientist Dr. Faith Ochieng (no relation). “It’s undoing the narrative that he is not ‘one of us’. Even if he meant it playfully or strategically, those words can alienate a voter base that is fiercely loyal to its ethnic identity.”
The ripple effect in Siaya politics
Within Siaya’s political circles, the remark has become a convenient campaign tool. Rivals aligned to ODM and UDA have quietly circulated snippets of the quote to question his loyalty to the Luo cause. Some have even gone as far as indelibly etching his Luhya claim in digital print on some obsequious media outlet called the “Independent”.
Supporters of Governor James Orengo, who is expected to seek re-election, say the “Luhya” label could end Ochieng’s ambitions before they properly begin. “It’s not about hate,” one ODM strategist noted. “It’s about belonging. Siaya sees itself as the heart of Luo politics. When you say you’re not Luo, you’re saying you’re not one of the family.”
Even within his own MDG party, insiders privately acknowledge that the fallout from the statement has made it harder to consolidate support across the county. Some fear that unless Ochieng clarifies or contextualizes his comment, the “Luhya tag” will shadow him through the campaign trail.
The political implications
If the controversy lingers, it could reshape the 2027 Siaya gubernatorial race in three key ways:
1. Fragmented support base: Ochieng’s strength in Ugenya — his home turf — may wane if rival aspirants exploit the tribal narrative to sway voters loyal to Luo nationalism.
2. Ethnic polarization: His candidacy could deepen divisions within Siaya’s political landscape, reinforcing the “us versus them” mentality that often defines Luo heartland politics.
3. Strategic realignment: If the tribal backlash grows, Ochieng may pivot toward cross-county alliances with leaders from Busia and Vihiga, positioning himself as a bridge between Luo Nyanza and Western Kenya — a strategy that could redefine his political identity as party leader but risk local rejection in the Siaya Governor race.
According to early opinion polls, Ochieng trails far behind William Oduol, Nicholas Gumbo, and incumbent Governor James Orengo — a gap that may widen if the ethnic controversy persists.
The verdict
While there is no verifiable record proving that David Ouma Ochieng is a Luhya from Marachi, his own public declaration — made in Bungoma and now replayed in political forums — has become a liability.
In a country where identity politics often outweigh policy debates, Ochieng’s remark underscores how a single sentence can redefine an entire campaign. Unless he addresses the controversy head-on, the words “I am a Luhya” may echo louder than any development agenda he hopes to sell to Siaya voters.
Based on the above, tentatively, it is safe to place David Ochieng as a Luo, and not Luhya. If however, he has details to the contrary, it would be advisable to come out in the public now….or risk losing trust among the electorate in Siaya.
The Luo have a saying: only one’s mother can conclusively tell one’s tribe…..
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