Editor's Review

The high-profile meeting was led by Siaya Governor James Orengo and attended by other prominent figures.

President William Ruto on Thursday, June 5, hosted a delegation of leaders from Siaya County at State House, Nairobi.

The high-profile meeting was led by Siaya Governor James Orengo and attended by other prominent figures including Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.

Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju also attended the meeting.

Others who graced the meeting are Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, former police spokesman Charles Owino, Interior PS Raymond Omollo and Medical Services PS Ouma Oluga.

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File image of President William Ruto and a section of Siaya County leaders

The meeting comes as a surprise as Orengo has been on record calling Ruto's administration even after the establishment of the Broad-based Government.

Speaking during the burial of Raila Odinga's bodyguard George Oduor, Orengo declared he would not join the "praise-singing bandwagon" for the current government, calling for the need for honest discourse over uncritical support. 

He cautioned that the country risked deterioration if leaders continued to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths. 

"We can’t keep praise-singing 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 said.

File image of the meeting

Additionally, Orengo had challenged the ODM party to stand by its principles even when in the broad-based arrangement.

Speaking in Siaya County on Friday, April 11, the county boss opined that the party ought not to be satisfied with the status quo.

He added that the party needed to have plans to challenge for the presidency in 2027. 

Orengo acknowledged that Raila had hinted that the party would be fielding a candidate in the 2027 polls to challenge 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. As a party, if we want to move ahead, we must be ready to challenge the status quo," he remarked. 

File image of the meeting