Okode clarified that the Governor is on vacation and carries on with the execution of his daily duties as he would any time he goes on retreat. Further the Speaker denied as sensational news that the Governor was last seen in public during his appearance before the Senate Accounts Committee on 23 June 2025.

“It’s a little over two weeks when the Governor presided over a function in Siaya”, said Okode.

On 27 June 2025 Governor Orengo held talks in his office with Kenya Ports Authority Director of Ferry Services Mr Bakari Gowa.

The situation has been exacerbated by a petition, filed by one Julius Oluoch, a resident of Siaya County, accusing the Governor and his Deputy of neglecting their constitutional duties, paralyzing operations at the county level, and fostering an environment of governance crisis.

Julius Oluoch has addressed his petition to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC), the Senate and the ODM Party Secretariat.

It’s not clear whether two weeks of absence from office warrants such a drastic action or the petitioner is driven by ulterior motives.

The conundrum in Siaya is that the Deputy Governor and the Governor have irreconcilable differences in their working relationship and the vacuum is being felt when the Speaker who is constitutionally the head of the Legislative steps in to fill roles meant for the Executive.

According to a highly-placed source who spoke on condition of anonymity Governor Orengo is out of the country on unspecified personal business. This, on its own, should not be a cause of alarm, as the Governor has travelled before, unannounced, to India and other destinations.

“It’s true that the governor is physically out of station but not out of duty,” George Okode confirmed.

Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo was last seen in public in good health and high spirits. Photo: Diblo, Governor’s Press Unit

As attested to by the involvement of the Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ogutu in recent public activities, the roles of the Governor’s office are executed promptly on a daily basis.

Although an apparent disconnect exists in dissemination of information from the Governor’s team, it’s yet too early to start speculating over an absence of a mere two weeks from office.