Siaya Governor James Orengo finds himself precariously balanced on a political tightrope, his fierce national stand against President William Ruto’s influence over the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) clashing dramatically with mounting isolation and impeachment threats back home.
As a veteran opposition stalwart, Orengo has emerged as a defiant figurehead in the fractured ODM landscape. Leading the so-called “Orengo-Sifuna-Babu wing”—aligned with ousted Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino—he rails against what he calls Ruto’s attempts to “take ODM hostage” through parallel meetings at State House and elsewhere. Orengo accuses the President of orchestrating the party’s internal chaos, sidelining key figures, and undermining its independence in the post-Raila Odinga era.
This hardline stance resonates strongly beyond Siaya. Rallies under the “Linda Mwananchi” banner have mobilized supporters who see Orengo as a guardian of ODM’s soul, resisting any broad-based government alignment or merger with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Public sentiment appears to favor this faction, with indications of substantial backing for their vision of an independent ODM contesting the 2027 presidential race on its own terms [Infotrak poll outcome].
Yet in Siaya County—the Odinga political heartland—the narrative flips sharply. Orengo’s calls for accountability and good governance at the national level strike many as hollow amid allegations of local leadership shortcomings. Critics argue he has failed to translate those principles into effective county administration, squandering initial goodwill from residents to merge actual outcomes with impactful PR efforts. Surrounded by loyalists and praise singers, the veteran politician appears increasingly detached in what some describe as his political twilight years.
The local power shift is unmistakable. President Ruto’s reelection machinery has gained firm footing in Siaya:
– Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi and Interior PS Raymond Omolo spearhead Ruto’s campaign outreach.
– Siaya Senator and ODM party leader Oburu Oginga aligns with the pro-broad-based faction.
– Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi has openly fueled impeachment speculation, urging MCAs to “smell the coffee” in pointed remarks widely seen as targeting Orengo’s grip on power.
– Former allies like Nicolás Gumbo tilt toward UDA, while others like David Ochieng hedge in the middle ground.
– Deputy Governor Dr William Oduol backs the broad-based aligned camp, apart from being a strong contender in the gubernatorial race.
This encirclement leaves Orengo visibly isolated on home turf, where Ruto’s strategic engagements—including hosting Siaya MCAs at Eldoret State Lodge and reported invitations to State House—aim to erode his influence further.
The tension peaks with fresh developments: word in the grapevine says President Ruto and Senator Oburu Odinga have extended invitations to Siaya County MCAs for a high-profile meeting at State House Nairobi next Wednesday. Insiders view the gathering as a potential litmus test—will Atandi’s impeachment rhetoric gain quiet endorsement or political momentum from the pro-Ruto camp, or will it fizzle under scrutiny?
As ODM’s internal battles rage—with rival rallies, expulsions, and accusations of betrayal—Orengo’s national resurgence as a principled fighter contrasts starkly with the peril closing in locally. The governor’s bold defiance may cement his legacy as a national hero to some, but in Siaya, the tightrope grows ever thinner. One misstep could end his tenure—and reshape the future of ODM itself.
