‘Tell Orengo to look for me’: What Ruto told Siaya MCAs in Eldoret talks

Neither the Governor nor his Deputy, William Oduol, was present. In attendance, however, were the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Mr Opiyo Wandayi, and the Internal Security Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo.

Immediately after the meeting, President Ruto posted on social media to say how successful the meeting had been. This sparked a storm on social media pages in Siaya County, with some speculating that the governor's impeachment may have been discussed.

Dr Ruto stated that the discussions had centred on aligning development programmes with the county’s priorities and making strategic investments to unlock Siaya's full potential.

“Met Siaya County Assembly Members, led by Speaker George Okode, at Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu County. We agreed on the need to accelerate projects that are underway, and fast-tracking planned initiatives, ensuring that development delivers real impact for the people,” said President Ruto.

In the video from the meeting seen by the Nation, President Ruto could be heard also assuring the MCAs that he has an agenda for the country and that he is very intentional about it.

But while on the surface it appeared like just a normal visit, there were heavy political undertones that surrounded the meeting.

Read: Thinning options for ODM 'rebels' as party takes stance over 2027

Interviews with those in the meeting reveal that the discussions also heavily bordered on Governor Orengo, who has been the fiercest critic of the president.

Some concluded that the meeting was intended to send a strong message to the Siaya County boss that he would face impeachment if he refused to support President Ruto and the broad-based government.

Speaker Okode revealed that the meeting, which he said had been planned by the Siaya County Assembly, was a follow-up to a previous meeting between Siaya County leaders and the State House in Nairobi. 

He stated that, during this meeting, the President had reaffirmed his commitment to promptly implementing the development pledges made to the county leadership and additional national programmes aimed at addressing the county's needs and aspirations.

“We were following up on the status of implementation of the projects in Siaya the president promised us. It was to find out what he had fulfilled from the memorandum we presented to him in Siaya,” said Mr Okode.

He was, however, quick to dismiss allegations that the meeting alienated Governor Orengo, saying it was purely a forum for the County assembly and the president, hence the absence of the county boss, his Deputy and MPs.

Mr Okode added that Mr Wandayi and PS Omollo were present as part of the president’s team, whose invitation, he said, they had no control over.

“The delegation conveyed to the President, special greetings from Siaya Governor, James Orengo, who remains steadfast in his support for strengthened, lawful collaboration between the national and county governments in advancing development,” said Mr Okode.

The Nation has, however, learnt that there have been attempts to paint the meeting as intended to sideline Mr Orengo, but the MCAs thwarted the efforts.

Around three MPs were already at the precincts of the State Lodge, while the rest were on their way. However, the MCAs reportedly insisted that the Head of State meet them alone.

According to a source at the meeting, Dr Ruto would later meet the MPs at his home in Kilgoris.

It also turned out that the president had a message for Governor Orengo: a mixture of condemnation and an olive branch to the county boss.

“The president acknowledged greetings from Orengo and said he respects him. That is why he sent us to tell the governor that if he has any issue, he should talk to him and work with him,” said Mr Okode.

Many other MCAs confirmed to this writer over the phone that Dr Ruto had made this overture to Mr Orengo.

Read: ODM’s seven scenarios: The likely outcomes of ongoing feuds

Mr David Ragen, the MCA for Central Alego, said that the president had tasked them with telling the governor that they had a long history together and should therefore iron out any outstanding issues.

However, the president claimed that former president Uhuru Kenyatta was behind the criticism of him by certain ODM leaders, including Mr Orengo.
The President believes that Mr Orengo is now a mature politician who should understand the political environment.

“The president told us to tell the Governor that they have come a long way and therefore he should not be swayed by Uhuru Kenyatta’s antics and money. He instead told us to tell Jim (Orengo) that if there is anything he wants the president to know or any issue, he should approach him directly and not use other public forums to attack him,” said Mr Ragen.

He, together with the Speaker and other MCAs, however, confirmed that there were no impeachment talks.

Mr Okode said if there was any impeachment plan, the president or anyone sponsoring it would be stupid enough to discuss it during the day and even share pictures while other leaders maintained that the process can not materialise.

“There was no talk of impeachment of the Governor. Orengo cannot be impeached I assure you. No one can attempt,” said Ms Susan Nyamawira, MCA for West Gem.

During the four-hour-long meeting cum lunch, discussions also bordered on broad-based politics, completion of Siaya projects, 2027 politics, attack on President Uhuru Kenyatta and the United Opposition.

Ms Nyamawira added that they also shared some concerns with the president, including issues surrounding e-procurement, their Job Groups elevation and improvement of remuneration package, conclusion of the pension scheme meant for MCAs, affirmative action fund for women MCAs and removal of bottlenecks placed on the ward bursary funds by various national government agencies.

The president delved into the rich history of himself and the former Premier Raila Odinga and how the broad-based came about.

“The president told us that they were in talks way early before last year, Immediately the elections were announced, Dr Ruto said he called Odinga four times with no answer but he later picked the fifth time where he assured him of his support. The broad based deal would later be sealed in Dubai promising to correct all the historical injustices and marginalization of the Nyanza region,” said Mr Ragen.

According to the MCA, the president said Mr Kenyatta never supported the region like he has done in the past few years after the broad-based government pact.

He lashed out at the united opposition, saying they have nothing much to offer to the Nyanza region and the country, putting him firmly as the best person to take Kenya forward.

He told them that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is not a worthy opponent and cannot beat him even in Mount Kenya.

The president also promised the Siaya County assembly delegation that he wanted to ensure that the Luo nation one day has a stab at the presidency.

“He promised us that by the time he leaves office, he will have placed us as a community on the path of the presidency,” said Mr Ragen.

At the end of the meeting, the MCAs appeared to endorse Dr Ruto’s re-election after videos emerged of them singing ‘Two term’, a chorus led by Gordon Onguru East Asembo MCA, who also doubles up as an Ohangla musician and a close ally of Governor Orengo.

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