NAIROBI, Kenya- Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has urged Siaya Governor James Orengo to return to active ODM party activities and work with other leaders, signalling that there is room for him in the party and the broad-based government.
Wandayi also calls for voter registration and unity, saying the region should work together to strengthen its influence.
The appeal comes amid a deepening political split within ODM over its cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration.
Orengo has aligned himself with the Linda Mwananchi faction, which has opposed the broad-based arrangement and called for ODM to chart an independent political course.
Wandayi, meanwhile, has defended the party’s cooperation with Ruto and urged Nyanza leaders to support the government’s re-election bid.
The divide has grown since Raila Odinga’s death, with rival groups also disputing the party’s leadership and direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
Orengo has accused some ODM officials of drawing the party closer to Ruto, while leaders aligned with the party’s main leadership have criticised his opposition to the government partnership.
A personal dispute over past political support
The rivalry has also played out through sharp exchanges over their political history. In July, Orengo said he had helped Wandayi when he was in prison.
Wandayi neither confirmed nor denied that account, but countered that he had dropped his own 2022 Siaya governorship bid in Orengo’s favour at Raila’s request.
He also argued that the two would have faced off in ODM nominations had he stayed in the race.
Wandayi has since taken a more active role in Siaya politics, saying he would mobilise residents to seek what he considers the county’s right leadership.
The governor’s succession race is also taking shape, with several politicians positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.
Wednesday’s appeal marks a softer public message from Wandayi after months of criticism.
It offers Orengo a route back into ODM’s activities, though their differences over the party’s alliance with Ruto remain unresolved.
