This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
Siaya Senator James Orengo's decision to run for governor in 2022 has been met with criticism, with many accusing him of a false sense of entitlement. Despite having benefited from the political patronage of Jaramogi and Raila for over 40 years, Orengo has little to show for his efforts in Siaya's Ugenya constituency.
His premature campaign has resulted in petty rivalries among leaders, with Orengo's sudden generosity being seen as suspect. This has diverted public discourse from important issues of governance and development to unhelpful politics and elections.
Furthermore, Orengo's campaign is a direct affront to the policy advanced by ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga, who has urged leaders elected on the ODM ticket to deliver programs and implement the party manifesto.
During the Ugenya by-election, Orengo's campaigners relegated critical reforms propagated by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to the backburner, instead focusing on personal attacks against development-conscious MPs such as Opiyo Wandayi and Gideon Ochanda.
At a recent funeral in Gem Constituency, Orengo's supporters, including Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi, desecrated the occasion by insulting development-conscious leaders, including Dr. Christine Ombaka, Dr. Gideon Ochanda, Professor Jacqueline Oduol, and Opiyo Wandayi.
