As the 2027 political drumbeat grows louder, Siaya’s gubernatorial race is already heating up—this time not on the campaign trail, but on social media. A widely shared screenshot purporting to show that Deputy Governor Dr William Oduol Denge had been cleared to run for governor on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket has triggered confusion, debate, and political intrigue across the county.
Speaking exclusively to SIAYA TODAY, Dr Oduol categorically dismissed the viral screenshot as fake, blaming what he termed “cheap propaganda” orchestrated by nervous rivals ahead of the ODM Party nominations.
“This is nothing but rumour-mill politics run by our main rivals who are clearly panicking,” Dr Oduol said. “We can’t unequivocally claim we will win the nominations, but if our main rival remains the sitting governor, then we are as good as having won already.”
The Deputy Governor, who has in recent weeks intensified a meet-the-people grassroots blitz across Siaya’s wards, said the misinformation was a classic campaign tactic meant to sow doubt among voters and party supporters.
Political misinformation, often amplified by youthful “sangwenyas” hired for online propaganda, has become a recurring feature of Siaya’s electoral contests. These social media operatives, driven more by speed than accuracy, routinely circulate half-truths, misleading claims, and at times outright falsehoods—occasionally skating dangerously close to breaking the law.
Dr Oduol also firmly dispelled earlier claims that he was a State-backed project aimed at unseating Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo.
“Anyone contesting on a UDA ticket was at State House today—Oduol wasn’t,” he said pointedly. “I am fully in ODM. If the party enters alliances in future, I will respect that process and remain guided by the will of the people of Siaya.”
Positioning himself as a servant-leader, Dr Oduol added:
“You, the voters, are my bosses. That is how we intend to approach service delivery in the next administration. You lead and I follow.”
So far, Governor Orengo and Deputy Governor Oduol are the only aspirants who have formally declared their intention to seek the ODM gubernatorial ticket. Outside ODM, David Ochieng is flying the MDG Party flag, while Nicolas Odero Gumbo is associated with UDA. Several other aspirants are in the race, though analysts consider their impact marginal.
The much-speculated candidacy of Jaoko Oburu Oginga remains unconfirmed, while Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi is widely seen as a political heavyweight whose decision—whether to run or not—will have some impact in the Siaya contest.
As campaigns gather momentum, one thing is clear: in Siaya politics, the battle for narrative has begun long before ballots are cast.
