In what had been billed as the political showdown of the season, Siaya Governor James Orengo’s much-publicised interview on NTV with David Muthoka left many Kenyans scratching their heads — and disappointed. Expectations were sky-high that the veteran politician would pull back the curtain on deep tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and reveal jaw-dropping evidence of internal power plays currently rocking the party. Instead, viewers were left with more questions than answers.
Orengo went into the interview with a reputation as one of Kenya’s sharpest political minds — even in his early eighties, he is widely regarded as still possessing a keen and agile intellect. And on that count, he did not disappoint, proving to audiences that his cognitive edge is as sharp as ever.
But where many expected fireworks — especially on the future of ODM, the looming 2027 elections, and internal party feuds — they got sparks at best. Instead of unveiling insiders selling out the party or exposing covert manoeuvres for power, what dominated the conversation was Orengo’s reasoned opposition to a referendum before the 2027 elections — a stance that, while significant, lacked the dramatic punch viewers had been promised.
Orengo maintained that a referendum so close to the general elections was unwise, underscoring the need for political stability over constitutional tinkering.
This position aligned with ongoing national debates over constitutional review efforts — including claims from former Chief Justice David Maraga that some factions may be using referendum talk to mask Uganda-style presidential term extensions — a charge sparking fresh controversy in its own right.
The interview could have been a defining moment for Orengo to challenge rising divisions within ODM, particularly between party leaders who favour working with President William Ruto’s broad-based government and critics like himself who warn it will dilute the party’s national identity.
Instead, Orengo reiterated his longstanding critique that ODM risks shrinking into a regional outfit if it embraces alliances perceived as betraying its core values. But this was delivered more like a political commentary than a blockbuster revelation — leaving social media buzzing not with revelations, but with critiques that the interview “failed to deliver any new evidence.”
Critics argue that Orengo’s comments, however sharp, were mostly repackaged versions of positions he has publicly expressed before, rather than the hard-hitting disclosures many anticipated. The lack of new insights into behind-the-scenes powering within ODM — especially in a moment when the party is navigating identity, alliances, and leadership succession in the post-Raila era — felt like a letdown to political watchers.
There is no doubt that Orengo’s intellect remains formidable. Throughout the interview, he demonstrated clarity, depth, and a capacity to dissect complex political dynamics — proving definitively that even in his later years, he remains a cerebral force in Kenyan politics.
However, sharped rhetoric alone was not enough to satisfy an audience hungry for inside scoops and blockbuster disclosures. Instead of reshaping narratives around ODM’s inner struggles or sparking a national debate on party direction, the interview quietly reaffirmed existing divisions — missing the explosive impact it was billed to deliver.
In the end, what should have been Kenya’s political TV moment of the year became more of a political high tea than a knockout reveal — respectable, articulate, and thoughtful — but far from the earth-shattering bombshell many expected.
If you were tuning in for fireworks… you might say the fuse fizzled.
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