Siaya Governor James Orengo has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of deliberately weakening ODM and steering the party away from its national character into what he described as a Luo Nyanza regional outfit.
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‎Speaking during a tour of Homa Bay Town on Wednesday, Orengo claimed the Head of State was frustrating the vision of the late Raila Odinga by deepening divisions within ODM and failing to honour commitments contained in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that paved the way for cooperation between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
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‎According to the governor, the internal wrangles that have given rise to the rival Linda Ground and Linda Mwananchi factions are part of a broader scheme aimed at dismantling the Orange party.
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‎”I tell Ruto to stop betraying Raila in his grave. He is working hard to reduce ODM to a Luo political party but that is unacceptable,” Orengo said.
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‎Orengo argued that one of the key reasons ODM entered into the agreement with President Ruto was to address the rising cost of living, but accused the government of abandoning that commitment.
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‎”Ruto is working against the will of our late leader Raila. He has refused to honour the ten point agenda and that is why Kenyans continue to be overwhelmed by the high cost of living,” Orengo said.
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‎The Siaya governor also turned his criticism on the current ODM leadership, accusing party leader Oburu Oginga and National Chairperson Gladys Wanga of weakening the party by backing President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
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‎He maintained that ODM had built its reputation as a strong national movement and should not abandon its founding ideals.
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‎”The people on whom we bestowed the leadership of ODM have become sellouts. One is going to vie a seat in Siaya and another one going to vie a seat in Homa Bay instead of seeking presidency,” Orengo said.
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‎Orengo declared that he was ready to spearhead negotiations for the Luo community’s place in Kenya’s national leadership, arguing that the community had made significant sacrifices in the country’s struggle for democracy and reforms.
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‎”I want to lead our community in the presidential race. Our community must have space on the national table for negotiation on resources and power distribution,” Orengo said.
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‎The governor’s visit to Homa Bay was briefly disrupted after a group of youths attempted to prevent his convoy from accessing the central business district.
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‎The youths barricaded the Homa Bay-Rongo Road using stones and construction materials, sparking violent confrontations with another group of youths accompanying Orengo. The rival groups exchanged stones before Orengo’s supporters gained the upper hand, allowing his convoy to proceed into the town.
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‎Despite the confrontation, Orengo continued with his itinerary, making four stopovers between Sofia Stage and Kendu Bay Junction, where he addressed enthusiastic crowds.
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‎He condemned what he termed as attempts by some elected leaders from Homa Bay County to use youths to intimidate him whenever he visits the region.
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‎”I am one of the leaders who fought for devolution when they were nowhere. Nobody can prevent me from holding rallies in Homa Bay County. I will come back and do it in each Sub-county,” Orengo said.
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‎The governor further announced plans to return to Homa Bay County for a major Linda Mwananchi rally, saying the movement would continue engaging residents across the region.
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‎His visit attracted large crowds after calm was restored, marking a contrast from his previous tour of the county, which ended in violence that left two people seriously injured.