Speaking on Friday, April 25, at Kakwajwok village in Kendu Bay during the burial of Priscilla Koyo — the wife of the 6th Ker of the Luo community, Koyo Opien — Raila Odinga defended Siaya Governor James Orengo, stating that he had not committed any crime by expressing his opinion.
Odinga clarified that the governor was merely addressing issues related to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ODM and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and dismissed any fears of a fallout within the party.
“I do not see the reason why people are bickering. When James Orengo talks, he’s talking on the basis of MoU between ODM and UDA. He has not committed any crime, he’s got a democratic right to say what he wants to say,” said Odinga
Raila Defends Orengo, Anyang’ Nyong’o for Criticizing Ruto’s Govt
He also noted that Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o was simply defending devolution — a position that is fully supported by the party.
Also Read: Luo Professionals Threaten to Impeach Siaya Governor James Orengo
This is after the county boss accused the national government of undermining devolution by clinging to functions that should be managed by counties.
“When Prof. Anyang Nyong’o speaks about devolution; he’s talking the language of ODM,” Odinga added.
Nyong’o had argued that the national government’s move to take control of road maintenance funds is akin to President Ruto reverting to the Moi era, where road funds were centralized and leaders had to plead with the President to allocate funds for road construction in their regions.
“The truth is that the Ruto regime has decided to go back to the pre-devolution times of the Nyayo era,” Nyong’o said.
The former Prime Minister also maintained that there was no coalition agreement between ODM and UDA, reiterating that the two parties were only working together for the betterment of Kenyans.
“There is no coalition between ODM and UDA. It is an arrangement based on an MoU which was signed between us in broad daylight,” Raila noted.
Also Read: Marriage Over as Anyang’ Nyong’o Says Ruto Can’t Manage the Country
Orengo Declines to Praise Ruto, Insists on Rule of Law
This comes after Governor Orengo, while speaking at the burial of George Oduor—a long-serving bodyguard to Raila Odinga—on Saturday, April 12, declared that he would not join the “praise-singing bandwagon” for the current administration.
Additionally, Orengo warned that the Opposition’s support should not be mistaken for blind loyalty, emphasizing that rights—not favours—should define the relationship between citizens and the state.
“What I’m trying to say, let us build a society which is based on the Constitution and the rule of law. We can say many things, and mere cannot be praised singing because we fought for a democratic constitution where people should talk,” he stated.
“We can’t keep song praising all the time. If you keep praise singing, we will not have a country. So, tell your leaders the truth. If you want something from the government, it is a matter of right. It is not a favour you are being given,”he remarked.
He further added that the party needed to start preparing to challenge for the presidency in 2027. Orengo acknowledged that Raila had already hinted at plans to field a candidate in the 2027 elections to take on President Ruto.
“As a party, we cannot be in a position where we are satisfied with the status quo. We must always challenge the status quo. If we want to move ahead, we must be ready to challenge the status quo,” he remarked.
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