Siaya Governor James Orengo's impromptu tour of Migori Town was disrupted on Saturday evening after a tear gas canister was thrown a few metres from his vehicle while he was addressing the residents.
Those who had gathered to listen to the vocal Linda Mwananchi leader scampered for safety as the convoy sped off to avoid stones that were also being thrown towards them.
The Siaya governor’s convoy had snaked its way into the town as he acknowledged greetings from locals and later addressed a crowd at the Migori Main Bus Terminus.
But towards the end of his address, the meeting was disrupted after a tear gas canister was lobbed near his vehicle by unknown people while others threw stones at his convoy.
Vehicle used by Siaya Governor James Orengo during his impromptu tour of Migori Town torched.
Photo credit: Pool
The vehicle he was in while in Migori town was later torched near Awendo. The governor had, however, switched vehicles by that time.
“They swore we would never set foot in Migori. They failed. Thank you, Migori, for standing with us. To the cowards who sprayed live bullets into my car and torched it in Awendo to hide your crimes: your desperate violence only proves your fear. You thought you eliminated me, but I am always many steps ahead. You can’t burn down a movement, and you will never intimidate me,” said Governor Orengo in a social media post.
Police in Awendo, however, gave a different account of the circumstances that led to the burning of the vehicle.
They said the Land Cruiser that was heading towards Rongo had hit a motorcycle and injured the rider, prompting a mob to set it on fire.
Before the chaos, Mr Orengo took a swipe at the Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko over remarks warning his Siaya counterpart not to hold rallies in the county.
“What I was doing today was to just greet the people of Migori County. Some people said that I should not set foot in Migori, that I will be killed; where am I now?” posed Mr Orengo.
He insisted that a fresh probe into the death of ODM leader Raila Odinga in October 2025 should commence for the region to have closure.
“Somebody here in Migori (in reference to Mr Ayacko) keeps on saying that we are descendants of some Kukru- something. What we know is that we (the Luo) are the descendants of Ramogi. I came here in Migori a couple of times with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga making pilgrimages to the Got Kwer where the Legio Maria founder lies. What I know is, if Migori speaks, that is it,” said Mr Orengo.
He also continued with his anti-Ruto campaign, insisting the President does not deserve another term in office.
He said leaders from the broad-based government are preoccupied with activities of the opposition, instead of delivering services which are critical to the people.
“When they stand to speak, all they say is Orengo Orengo Orengo, yet they cannot repair this bridge behind us (in Migori). When they come with their money in the name of empowerment, tell them to first repair the bridge,” said Mr Orengo.
He maintained that the Linda Mwananchi team remains united and will be fronting a presidential candidate.
Mr Orengo said in their party, they will ensure that everybody gets a fair chance to contest on the ticket and not impose leaders on the people. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is largely seen as the most probable Linda Mwananchi presidential aspirant.
The Siaya Governor insisted that the Luo community will be at the negotiating table where the country’s issues are being discussed.
“In Mount Kenya there is Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, Justin Muturi. In Western, there is Moses Wetangula, Musalia Mudavadi, Eugene Wamalwa, and Boni Khalwale, who recently started his party, and then there is Edwin Sifuna. In Ukambani, there is Kalonzo Musyoka, while on the coast, Ali Hassan Joho also wants power. The Luo community must be represented,” said Mr Orengo.
The chaotic scene happened even as Mr Orengo and the Linda Mwananchi troop plan a rally of the region amid warnings by the Migori Governor.
On Friday, Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino were in Kasipul, Homa Bay County, for a funeral almost two weeks after a visit to the county on August 16 turned deadly, leading to the death of four, with another 46 people injured and property destroyed.
