Kenyans have expressed mixed reactions after it emerged that Siaya Governor James Orengo accompanied President William Ruto to an official tour to India.
Taking to his X account, President Ruto revealed that he met with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Orengo, Stephen Arap Sang (Nandi) and Hillary Barchok (Bomet).
“Good infrastructure facilitates the expansion of opportunities and economic growth. The Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) have an ambitious plan to link their counties and bring the benefits of connectedness to the people by building roads that will create prosperity for this and future generations,” stated Ruto.
Further, Ruto explained that they met Dr. Srinivasa Raju Gannavarapu, CEO, Procorp Enertech Private Limited who has shown interest in investing in Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) counties.
Additionally, Orengo also stated that he led a delegation from LREB including Governors Sang and Dr. Barchok to appraise President Ruto on the MOUs LREB has signed with Indian government ministries and departments.
Orengo said this meeting was before the discussion between President Ruto and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.
“The MOUs by LREB are one to establish a Solar Energy Park with a capacity of 280MW with each of the 14 counties getting between 10-50MW while the second one seeks to extend the SGR from Naivasha to Malaba corridor but at its core is interlinking railway network that connects the 14 LREB counties,” said Orengo.
Also, Orengo held discussions with a team from Eden Group in New Delhi, India to discuss how to increase agricultural production of rice, cotton, and edible oils.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the group is exploring investing in a modern diagnostic laboratory in Siaya County to serve the Western region of Kenya.
Mixed reactions
Section of netizens were shocked to see photos of President Ruto with Governor Orengo.
“Is that James Orengo with President William Ruto in India or I am seeing my own things?” wondered Omwamba.
Further, some users wondered why Orengo, who is a key adviser and ally of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, accompanied the president to such a function.
“Is this Senior Counsel James Orengo? I remember those days back then saying President Ruto is illegitimate and unconditionally holding presidency, what has changed?” asked Kaslim.
Also Read: Inside President Ruto’s Two-Day State Visit to India
We Appreciate Orengo
Also, there is a section of Kenyans who appreciated Governor Orengo for working with President Ruto.
Kenyans mentioned that Orengo is one of the leaders who has set politics aside to focus on development.
“Now this are the kind of engagement as leaders you should be having often, not some political rhetoric which helps nobody,” said Benson Mutai.
Additionally, a user named Amakanji Thomas said that Senator Boni Khalwale suggested that county governors should work with the national government.
“This is what Khalwale said in black and white, the nation and county government need to work in tandem devoid of political affiliations which James Orengo has always been active engaging the president openly,” he said.
Also Read: Ruto Clears the Air on Sale of 60,000Ha Mau Land
ODM Biasness
Furthermore, others claimed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is biased in terms of how they treat its members.
“ODM is discriminatory! Jalang’o was haunted out of the party for cooperating with Kenya Kwanza government to bring development to his constituency while no one is raising a finger when James Orengo,” said Wakili on Fb.
Also, Wakilie KE stated that Orengo is the most volatile ODM goon and does more than the same to bring development to Siaya County.
“Yet others from the region are being demonized for being seen with the president,” Nyadida.
Orengo is a Traitor
In addition, some of the users’ said Governor Orengo is a traitor in the Azimio One Kenya Alliance coalition.
Milton Apollo said Orengo betrayed Kenyans during Late President Daniel Moi regime, Late President Mwai Kibaki era and during the terms of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
