Siaya Governor James Orengo faced intense heckling today from what witnesses described as paid goons during a burial ceremony in Unguja, Siaya County. Mourners repeatedly shouted “Siaya ni Tutam,” drowning out the veteran politician as he attempted to address the crowd.
Viral video footage shows Orengo visibly rattled while the gathering descended into disorder. The chants of “Tutam” — widely interpreted as support for the Broadbased government arrangement and frustration over unfulfilled promises and perceived leadership failures at home — continued relentlessly, turning what should have been a solemn occasion into a scene of political confrontation.
The incident is the latest flashpoint in escalating tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Siaya. Recent events, including the disrupted “Linda Ground” rally, have seen similar unrest, with reports of overturned chairs, fleeing crowds, and accusations of hired disruptors targeting Orengo’s camp.
Critics, including prominent ODM figures, have openly accused the governor of prioritizing personal interests over development. Public complaints have highlighted the lack of visible progress on roads, water supply, and other devolution dividends despite years in office.
While some defenders argue that Orengo — a long-time opposition stalwart who stood firm during the Moi era — cannot be easily intimidated by hired crowds, others see the repeated disruptions as evidence of deepening voter discontent and disillusionment with his leadership.
The governor’s office has not yet issued an official response, by the time of filing this report. As clips of the chaotic burial continue to circulate widely on social media, the “Tutam” chants appear to signal mounting pressure on Orengo to address longstanding grievances in Siaya County and stop chasing the wind on the national platform.
Those who know the governor testify that he is rarely perturbed by hostile crowd reactions, today, though, was an exception as the veteran politician appeared visibly rattled. Orengo is among pioneers who advocated for the creation of Ugunja Constituency from the greater Ugenya.
The episode underscores the increasingly fractured political landscape in the region, where loyalty to party roots now competes with demands for tangible results on the ground.
