Orengo declares himself ‘people’s leader’ in ODM, claims plot to sell party to enemies
James Orengo cannot even be elected as an MCA in Siaya County where he is the governor now because he has been a complete failure and embarrassment to Siaya voters who elected him as their governor in 2022. By all measures, James Orengo is the most incompetent and useless governor in all of Kenya and that says a lot in a country where many governors do very little for their counties.
Now James Orengo is projecting himself as the Linda Mwananchi presidential candidate to run against Ruto in 2027. James Orengo is practically killing the Linda Mwananchi movement because nothing is more irrelevant to Kenyans than James Orengo right now.
In media, Siaya Governor James Orengo has launched a scathing attack on the leadership direction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), declaring himself a “people’s party leader” within the outfit and alleging a scheme to undermine its strength and independence.
Speaking amid growing tensions within the party in Kisumu on April 24th, Orengo claimed ODM was at risk of being “sold to political enemies”, warning that he would spearhead an internal push to safeguard its legacy and influence.
“I am the people’s party leader because ODM is being sold to our political enemies. We must ensure that ODM remains strong, independent, and true to its founding ideals,” Orengo said.
Drawing parallels with South Africa’s liberation struggle, Orengo invoked Nelson Mandela, saying internal resistance was necessary when a movement strays from its mission and pace of change.
“Like Mandela in 1952, when they felt the African National Congress was not moving fast enough, we must act to bring about change,” he stated.
Orengo emphasised that his stance was aimed at protecting the political legacy of Raila Odinga and ensuring that the party’s achievements are not eroded or diluted by internal divisions or external influence.
“We must make sure that the legacy and achievements of Raila are not destroyed and that the reach of ODM is not diminished,” he said.
He further insisted that ODM, as one of Kenya’s largest political parties, should not be relegated to a subordinate role in any political arrangement.
“ODM cannot become a junior partner to a party that needed ODM. It is not ODM that needed the union; we must remain the dominant party,” Orengo added.
“I want to say without contradiction that the conspiracy to sell ODM was made at State House. All these things have been discussed and deliberated, and a price paid for them,” Orengo said.
