Siaya Governor James Orengo has dismissed reports that he was chased away from a burial ceremony in Seme, clarifying that his departure was planned and respectful.

“Contrary to the misreporting… we did not leave the venue because we were ‘chased.’ We departed because the presiding Bishop and Seme MP James Nyikal had already left to proceed with the burial of his father,” Orengo said.

He explained that his presence at the ceremony was solely to condole with the family of the late Eliud Nyikal Okaka, father to the Seme legislator.

“Our sole purpose was to offer condolences and stand in solidarity with the family,” he added, noting that his team later travelled back to Nairobi ahead of the upcoming EALASCA Festival set to begin in Mombasa on Monday, May 4.

However, even as he denied claims of being chased away, Orengo strongly condemned the events that disrupted the burial.

“It is both shameful and a national disgrace that a solemn send-off could be disrupted… the situation became so tense that the clergy had to cut the service short,” he said, alleging interference and the presence of hired goons.

He insisted that intimidation would not deter his political movement.
“No amount of intimidation, no teargas, no hired chaos… will silence the Linda Mwananchi Movement,” Orengo stated.

Meanwhile, Seme MP James Nyikal also weighed in on the incident, directly accusing Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda of contributing to the disruption.

Nyikal claimed that Ojienda arrived at the venue accompanied by a group of youths, who are alleged to have played a role in the commotion that interrupted the burial proceedings.

Despite the tension, Orengo maintained that he later interacted with Kisumu residents at the airport, praising their hospitality and describing them as “WANTAM,” reflecting a spirit of unity and excellence displayed over the weekend.