While other counties in the Luo Nyanza region are enjoying political calm that came with the newly formed alliance between ODM and the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance, Siaya has turned into a theatre of supremacy battles.
The latest battle pits Siaya Governor James Orengo against Senator Oburu Oginga and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi. The rift is not new, it stems from the gubernatorial campaigns in 2017 and 2022 polls.
The show of might was evident early last week when the Members of the County Assembly in Siaya County declined to accompany Dr Oburu and other leaders to State House in the governor's absence. Mr Orengo is out of the country on official duty.
The MCAs have denied turning down the invitation to State House through Dr Oginga. The Nation established that the MCAs did not make the trip because it was an impromptu one and they were not prepared.
Oburu: We are in broad-based government as ODM, not as individuals
“We didn’t decline the invite, we agreed to postpone it to next week to allow room for adequate preparation on our side,” Siaya County Assembly Majority Leader Edwin Otieno.
Another MCA told the Nation that: “We were on a short recess when a message was sent through the assembly clerk that there was a very important meeting that MCAs were supposed to attend on Monday May 12. The agenda was to be tabled in the chambers.”
The MCA, who did not want to be named because he is not authorised to comment on the matter, added: “When we reached the assembly chambers, the matter on the table was the proposed visit to State House on Wednesday May 14, organised by Dr Oburu. The meeting was to include Members of Parliament who had a similar meeting in Nairobi on Saturday May 10.”
The majority of the MCAs turned down the invitation because Governor Orengo, who had initiated plans for the State House visit, was away.
MCAs who spoke to the Nation said that visiting State House in the governor’s absence would amount to insubordination.
Mr Orengo has been a vocal critic of the broad-based government deal which ODM is part of. CS Wandayi has branded him an “enemy of progress”.
Siaya County Governor James Orengo.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
While addressing mourners at Upanda village, in Ugunja Sub-County last week, where nine people died in a suspected arson attack, the Energy minister did not mince his words in his censure of the county chief.
“The Siaya governor must stop activism and focus on delivering services to the people who elected him. Members of Parliament, and to an extent the Senate, are the ones supposed to be engaging in what the governor is trying to do,” said Mr Wandayi.
He went on: “Compared to other counties in the region, Siaya is an embarrassment; there are no drugs in the health facilities and there are no proper services. So the governor must focus on what he was elected to do, not the populist politics he is engaging in.”
Earlier, at another function, Senator Oginga attacked Mr Orengo. He told the governor to resign and walk out of ODM so that he can continue with his castigation of the broad-based government.
Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga has been dropped by the Azimio coalition from top PSC job
Photo credit: Pool I Nation Media Group
“Why is he vomiting on us while still inside? Can’t he get out and vomit on us while outside so that we know he is outside. It is improper for him to continue with his activism while in the Orange party,” said Dr Oginga.
Mr Orengo has been relentless in his opposition to the working arrangement with the government. He said that the government was on a wrong trajectory as far as adherence to the Constitution is concerned. And his stand has not gone done well with other leaders.
The governor ridiculed ODM’s contentment with the six Cabinet positions that President Ruto allocated to the party.
“Don’t be contented that one of you is a Principal Secretary, never be contented that some of you have been appointed as Cabinet secretaries. One time I was a minister in this country, we had Jaramogi (Oginga Odinga) as the founding Vice President and even Raila Odinga was a Prime Minister. Never be contented with those,” he said while addressing crowds in his Ugenya backyard a fortnight ago.
The war of words between the leaders does not sit well with some opinion leaders from Siaya who are calling for a ceasefire.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
“Other counties are growing and are reaping from the broad-based government while Siaya leaders are fighting. Look at Migori and Homa Bay, they are getting goodies from the government, while our leaders are at each other’s throats,” Siaya Contractors Association Chairman John Ogeya said.
“Can’t we have a sober working environment in Siaya? What are we fighting over? The clergy of Siaya must bring these leaders together to resolve the misunderstanding between them. We can’t continue the same way.”
Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol, who faded out of the limelight after his failed impeachment and fallout with his boss, Mr Orengo, got a fresh lease of life when the broad-based government was formed. For over a year, he has not been in his office. But in the past few weeks, he has resurfaced and was recently seen at the office of Mr Wandayi.
