Orengo: ODM has been reduced to a Luo party
Politics
By
James Omoro
| Jul 23, 2026
Siaya Governor James Orengo has accused President William Ruto of reducing ODM to a Luo Nyanza political party. Orengo accused Ruto of going against the will of former ODM leader, the late Raila Odinga.
The Governor argued that Ruto is behind the sharp division in ODM, which has birthed the Linda Ground and Linda Mwananchi factions.
In his tour of Homa Bay Town on Wednesday, Orengo argued that President Ruto was working hard to ensure ODM collapses.
"I tell Ruto to stop betraying Raila in his grave. He is working hard to reduce ODM to a Luo political party but that is unacceptable," Orengo said.
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Orengo argued that Ruto had betrayed Raila and his ODM supporters in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) they signed ahead of the co-operation between the orange party and the Kenya Kwanza government.
He argued that Ruto had declined to reduce the cost of living. However, the high cost of living was one the major reasons Raila and Ruto signed the MoU that led to formation of the broad-based government.
"Ruto is working against the will of our late leader Raila. He has refused to honour the ten-point agenda and that is why Kenyans continue to be overwhelmed by the high cost of living," Orengo said.
Orengo accused ODM leader Oburu Oginga and the party Chairperson Gladys Wanga of destroying ODM through their decision to support President Ruto's re-election bid
He argued that ODM should maintain the vigour it had had since its formation.
"The people on whom we bestowed the leadership of ODM have become sellouts. One is going to vie a seat in Siaya and another one going to view a seat in Homa Bay instead of seeking presidency," Orengo said.
He promised to lead the Luo community in a negotiation table for the leadership of Kenya.
The Governor argued that the Luo community had suffered I advocating for reforms in Kenya. Thus, there is a need for the community to be represented on the negotiation table.
"I want to lead our community in the presidential race. Our community must have space on the national table for negotiation on resources and power distribution," Orengo said.
Earlier, there attempts to block Orengo from entering the central business district of Homa Bay Town.
Some youths had blocked the Homa Bay -Rongo road with stones and construction materials.
This led to violence in which a group of youth allied to Orengo and the ones who blocked the road fought each other with stones.
However, however Orengo's youth repulsed their rivals. Orengo finally entered the town and addressed residents. He made four stop overs between Sofia stage and Kendu Bay junction in Homa Bay Town.
The Siaya Governor warned some Homa Bay elected leaders against inciting youth against him when he tours the county.
"I am one of the leaders who fought for devolution when they were nowhere. Nobody can prevent me from holding rallies in Homa Bay County. I will come back and do it in each Sub-county," Orengo said.
Orengo promised residents to prepare for a Linda Mwananchi really in the near future.
He received warm welcome by a larger crowd of residents after the violence ended.This came after his last tour of the county was marrd by violence in which two people were seriously injured.