NAIROBI, Kenya — The political temperature in Siaya just got hotter—and not because of the weather.
Senator Oburu Odinga has launched a no-holds-barred attack on Governor James Orengo, accusing him of undermining ODM’s recent political alliance with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
In a fiery address during an interdenominational church service in Migori’s Suna East, Oburu didn’t mince his words: if Orengo isn’t on board with the party’s decisions, perhaps it’s time he found a new political home.
“Those who think this broad-based government is wrong are vomiting on us from within. Why don’t they step outside and vomit there?” Oburu remarked sharply, with President Ruto looking on.
The Senator’s comments come in response to Orengo’s earlier declaration at a Siaya funeral service that he would not be part of what he described as a “praise-singing bandwagon” for the Kenya Kwanza government.
ODM’s Kenya Kwanza Pact: Collective Decision or Political Sellout?
At the heart of this rift is the 10-point agreement between ODM and the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, a move that marked a notable shift in the political landscape.
Oburu insisted that this pact wasn’t a backroom deal or a favor to the ruling party—it was a collective decision made after thorough internal consultation.
“We’ve been elected to fight for our people’s rights, and that’s what we’re doing,” said Oburu. “This is not the time for internal sabotage.”
Orengo, however, sees things differently. He has raised red flags over the alliance, warning that cozying up to the government without accountability risks eroding democratic gains.
“If anything comes to Siaya, it’s a right—not a favour,” Orengo told mourners on April 12. “We fought for a constitution that allows people to speak freely. Let’s not lose that.”
Clash of Roles: Serving vs. Fighting
Oburu went a step further, challenging Orengo’s role as a county leader. According to him, governors aren’t meant to be freedom fighters—they’re service providers.
“A governor isn’t mandated to fight for rights. He’s given resources to deliver services,” Oburu stated. “What rights are we fighting for other than roads, hospitals, electricity, or water?”
This pointed critique underscores a growing ideological divide within ODM, one that pits pragmatism against principle. While Oburu emphasizes access to resources and political inclusion, Orengo holds the line on constitutional values and accountability.
Party Loyalty Tested as ODM Navigates Coalition Politics
The spat signals deeper unrest within ODM, long considered a unified front under the leadership of Raila Odinga.
As the party aligns with the ruling coalition, voices like Orengo’s are growing louder, questioning whether loyalty to the party should override dissent rooted in principle.
Oburu’s warning was blunt: support the party’s direction—or step aside.
While President Ruto’s presence at the Migori service added a layer of political theatre to Oburu’s remarks, the real drama continues to unfold behind closed doors as ODM grapples with how to balance partnership with independence.
