The rift in Raila Odinga -led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party continues to widen as reports emerge of a covert plan by the State to unseat Siaya Governor James Orengo in the 2027 General Election over his stance against the broad-based government.
The alleged scheme, which is said to involve high-level strategists within the ruling coalition, seeks to punish the veteran politician for his sustained criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration and its broad-based government.
Governor Orengo, a close ally of Mr Odinga and a longstanding voice of opposition politics, has been outspoken against President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of corruption, economic mismanagement, and human rights violations.
Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga (right), accompanied by Siaya Governor James Orengo, during a relief food distribution exercise to flood victims at Muhondo grounds in Alego-Usonga in Siaya.
Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group
While several ODM figures— including Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya — joined President Ruto’s government under the broad-based framework forged in the wake of last year’s Gen Z protests, Mr Orengo has remained an unyielding critic.
Sources within political circles in Nyanza now suggest that the government is keen to “clip Orengo’s wings” ahead of the next polls.
Initially, members of the Luo professional caucus called for the impeachment of the governor, a move that has never taken off, with Siaya MCAs failing to attend a recent meeting at State House in Nairobi.
Nyanza professionals accuse Orengo of undermining Ruto-Raila pact
Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) party leader David Ochieng’, who is also the Ugenya MP, a former ally-turned-critic of Orengo, is among the possible challengers being fronted.
Mr Ochieng’, the Ugenya MP has publicly declared his readiness to contest the Siaya governorship if Orengo fails to deliver on his mandate.
“Raila has said that even if his votes were stolen, he had to join hands with President Ruto to help him stabilise the government and in return, the president has agreed to help our region in terms of development, yet Governor Orengo continues to undermine him,” said Mr Ochieng last week.
He added: “The role of the governor is to enhance development and work for his people and if Orengo cannot do that then I’m ready to face him at the ballot to help our people.”
Mr Orengo has in the past weeks faced presidential attacks from pro-broad-based backers in Siaya, including Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga and Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi, who have accused him of playing confrontational politics.
“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.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Dr Oginga charged: “If he (Orengo) feels uncomfortable ODM working with the government, then he can quit the party altogether.”
Mr Wandayi has reportedly been holding meetings in Nairobi and has hosted a number of leaders from Siaya county, including Dr Oginga, Mr Ochieng’, former Minister Raphael Tuju, ex-Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo and Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol. The meetings by critics of the governor are seen as attempts to clip his wings.
Siaya County ODM Chairman Oloo Okanda said they were aware of a scheme by the State to sponsor a candidate against Mr Orengo over his position on the broad-based government.
“We have reliable information on this that there have been meetings to try to find a viable candidate to run against Orengo in 2027, yet the party leader,r Raila Odinga, himself has declared that ODM remains in the opposition,” Mr Okanda told the Nation .
Mr Odinga has defended Mr Orengo, Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and ODM Secretary General over their criticism of the government, saying he also holds their opinions.
Last week, he differed with Dr Oginga, his elder brother, over the position of ODM, insisting he is in the opposition and not part of the government.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
While Mr Sifuna told the Nation that he was not aware of a State plot to sponsor a candidate against Mr Orengo, he insisted that ODM had nothing to do with the government and remains in the opposition.
“I maintain that there is no government called broad-based. We have the Kenya Kwanza Government and all those who serve in it work for Ruto.
"Our MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with UDA is a mere cooperation framework designed for areas of joint interest and people’s issues. Beyond that, going into an election with any political partners requires the sharing of ideologies and points of convergence, which in my view, do not exist between us and UDA,” Mr Sifuna told the Nation .
Political observers view the situation in Siaya as a microcosm of broader tensions within ODM, as the party grapples with internal realignments, State co-option, and the shifting dynamics of Mr Odinga’s post-2022 political strategy.
Once a symbol of unwavering loyalty, Mr Odinga’s inner circle is now showing signs of strain.
Some key figures have openly backed President Ruto following his cooperation with Mr Odinga in the broad-based government, while others have fiercely opposed the deal.
The question now is whether the centre can hold — or if internal dissent will tear the ODM party apart.
Mr Odinga’s working arrangement with President Ruto has created friction in ODM, with the party’s Memorandum of Understanding with president Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) splitting the opposition leader’s camp down the middle.
