Siaya Governor James Orengo has demanded the immediate release of several members of his staff who were allegedly arrested and detained in Siaya and Nairobi ahead of President William Ruto’s planned visit to the county.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, Orengo accused the police of conducting arbitrary arrests linked to preparations for the President’s tour.
“This evening several members of my staff have been arbitrarily arrested and detained in Siaya and Nairobi in connection with the presidential visit to Siaya tomorrow,” Orengo said.
He condemned the arrests as unconstitutional and called for their immediate release.
“This egregious conduct on the part of the police has no place in a constitutional democracy. I demand their immediate release,” he added.
President Ruto is expected to visit Siaya on Sunday to attend a thanksgiving ceremony for Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga at Okela Primary School in Uyoma.
The alleged arrests come amid growing political tension within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where Orengo has been a vocal critic of what he perceives as a political rapprochement between ODM and President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The Siaya Governor is a prominent member of the Linda Mwananchi faction, allied to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, which has opposed any move toward closer cooperation with the ruling coalition.
