Siaya County Governor James Orengo has vowed to continue mounting pressure on President William Ruto’s administration despite criticism from a section of leaders allied to him.
Addresssing a section of residents in Bondo, Siaya County on Saturday, May 4, 2025, Orengo affirmed that no amount of threats would deter him from speaking his truth, emphasising that he has endured enough trials and tribulations to navigate the murky political waters.
He also confidently assured that Kenya will not falter under his watch by concealing the truth from the people.
“The truth shall set you free and in matters leadership countrywide and continentally that believes in the law, constitution and the truth; and as James Orengo, I believe in law and the constitution. I am one who has been trained by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and I have worked with Raila Odinga, I am one of the few people who saw Tom Mboya in action, I didn’t just hear stories, I am one who sat with Argwings Kodhek, the first lawyer in the first republic of Kenya. I cannot let Kenya or my community down by not speaking the truth.
“If there is anybody who wants to take any action against me, I want to them I have been through those trials and tribulations. I recently said no one has ever gotten votes like Raila in presidential elections since 2007. Every year he gets votes but some people engage in election fraud and propaganda,” he said.
The county chief equally weighed in on the country’s election process, calling on the Nyanza region not to relent on calls for free and fair elections. The outspoken county head remarked that it is time Kenya practices its democracy free from fraud perpetrated by certain leaders.
“Raila has never gotten votes because of election misconduct and unfair court rulings, we have to rectify this without interfering with the constitution because everything has been clearly indicated. Don’t be content and relent from pursuing fair elections because one of you is governor or CS. For us to succeed as Nyanza, we need to ensure that we rectify the electoral issues to safeguard future votes.”
Orengo’s comments come amid heightened criticism from leaders allied to the government over his sustained condemnation of Ruto’s policies.
With the heightened criticism Raila Odinga stepped in to defend Orengo and his and his Kisumu counterpart Anyang Nyong’o, who also came under fire over criticism of the broad-based government.
In his remarks on Friday, April 25, 2025, Raila stated that the governors were within their democratic rights in expressing their opinions.
Raila noted that the ODM duo made their views public over a topic that his party has been championing.
“I said we are in a democracy, and in a democracy, everyone has a right to expression. As ODM, we decided to enter into an agreement with the government. That doesn’t mean we have all become part of the government,” Raila clarified.
I happen to know James Orengo very well. He is the governor of Siaya County where I was born. He is a good politician and they are the people who introduced us to politics when we were high school students going to the university.
When I go home my young family members tell me about the politics in the area. I don’t like Oburu Odinga as the senator for Siaya but the young ones tell me he is good because he talks to people. I didn’t like the Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda but the young ones said he is not bad.
In Siaya county they have done good things. I am a farmer and I build houses in our family property in Bondo Town. Siaya county introduced farming tractors in the whole place but the problem is that most of those farming tractors are dead because of lack of repairs. So me I have my tractors for farming and they work. Siaya County workers tell me how to do the farming and the timing.
Then there is a guy who is the MP for Alego and he is bad and that is the only one my family agrees with me about. Then they tell me to forget politics and just work to do something at home.
Then I talk to my sisters and nephews and they tell me they know what to do with the tractors. They buy a huge water tank from Kakamega and tell me that will get water from Yala River to the contractors in Bondo Town. And then they start making a lot of money and tell me that money is for building houses in the the town.
The folks at home have their own system and they know how to handle it so I leave them alone. But they know my politics from when I was a teenager. They tell me to calm down.
In terms of politics it is now obvious that Raila Odinga and the ODM will work with President William Ruto in 2027.
Professor Makau Mutua has become the latest prominent figure from the opposition to land a top job in the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“I am grateful to His Excellency, President William Ruto, for appointing me Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs in the Executive Office of the President. Our Constitution is the beating heart of the Republic. Mr President, I promise to serve you and our fellow citizens with diligence, honour, and distinction,”
Families of victims killed in protests demand justice, compensation
Families of individuals killed during peaceful protests in June 2024 during a press conference in Nairobi on Sunday, May 04, 2025.
The families of individuals killed during peaceful protests in June 2024 have called on President William Ruto and the Kenyan Parliament to take immediate action.
They plan to deliver a petition on June 25, marking one year since their children and loved ones were slain by security forces.
The petition demands justice, including the arrest and prosecution of the police officers and their commanders responsible for the deaths.
It also calls for compensation for the victims’ families and those injured in the protests.
The families also seek an inquiry into the destruction of property and the criminal elements who infiltrated the protests.
The petitioners described the violence as targeted killings. Many victims were shot in the back or head, indicating the intent to kill, not capture, said families.
Some bodies were found in dumpsites, dams, or morgues, and many remain unaccounted for due to forced disappearances.
“You left me with no last words, but only receiving a call and finding you lifeless,” said Gillian Munyao, mother of Rex Masaii, one of the victims.
“I know you told God in the process after that policeman shot you and watched you die slowly.”
The families are also calling for a public inquiry into the violence and for the government to provide psycho-social support to the affected individuals, especially those suffering from trauma.
The petition will be presented to the Office of the President and Parliament on June 25, 2025, a year after the killings occurred near Parliament and in Nairobi’s central business district.
How about families of those killed by Gachagua during the Saba Saba revolution in 2023.
Police teargas Raila convoy heading to CBD as Saba Saba protests rock Kenya
Tensions escalated on Friday as police clashed with supporters of Azimio leader Raila Odinga during a march towards Nairobi’s Central Business District on the onset of Saba-saba protests before heading to Kamukunji Grounds for a grand rally.
I Survived an Assassination Attempt Raila Odinga Says
Published on: Jul 07, 2023
On Friday 7th July 2023 Raila Odinga’s motorcade was destroyed amid running fights between protestors and anti-riot police.
Odinga had called a demonstration at Kamukunji Grounds to rally his followers in favour of an effort he claims is intended at ousting President William Ruto and his government.
Opposition: We will send Ruto home in 2027 : Opposition leaders
Five opposition leaders currently engaged in coalition talks for the 2027 General Election have dismissed claims that they are tribal and lack direction.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, and party leaders Martha Karua (PLP) and Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya) said yesterday that they have a clear vision for the country’s future.
The leaders rejected President William Ruto’s accusation that they are attempting to divide the nation along ethnic lines and have no tangible development agenda.
“I see some people holding meetings, saying they are forming a party. But for four hours, all they talk about is William Ruto. Now I ask them, is that party they are forming mine? Is it called William Ruto?” the President remarked last month.
If only goats could vote, Kalonzo could win this thing. I have to talk with the goats first and that is coming next.
Kalonzo gifts Gachagua goats during a thanksgiving ceremony at his Wamunyoro residence
