Siaya Governor Mr. James Orengo has announced that he is ready to work closely with President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration for the development of his county.
Orengo who is staunch ally of opposition leader Raila Odinga said he has also invited the head of state to visit the region because County and national governments are interdependent and should cooperate.
But the Siaya governor who also doubles as Odinga’s political lawyer stated that he was not really ditching his ODM boss as his relationship with President Ruto is purely for development and not for political advancements.
Orengo said Siaya voters will always seek political directions from Raila, a 78 year old opposition veteran who was beaten by Ruto in the last elections.
Odinga has been the region’s political kingpin for three decades but has failed to clinch presidency in his five attempts, leaving him old, tired and best suited for retirement.
Political analysts argue that Ruto has embarked on courting Nyanza and Western regions to neutralize Mt. Kenya ahead of 2027 general elections and ODM governors have been at his disposal.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa who was elected on an ODM ticket has also made countless visits to state house as he warms up to work closer with President Ruto’s administration.
Barasa is a tainted man who is seeking insulation from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that has been investing him over the billions he stole during his tenure at Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
The unity of purpose for development. We thank the President, @WilliamsRuto, for this afternoon's meeting at State House. Congratulations Gov Barasa for taking the big decision pic.twitter.com/4nlzuvjwma
— Dr Boni Khalwale, CBS (@KBonimtetezi) December 4, 2022
The former Ketraco CEO was questioned by EACC sleuths on November 7th and recorded a statement in regard to a suspected fraudulent transaction said to have been paid to Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) for a project in Marsabit.
Many top politicians allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration including DP Rigathi Gachagua had their high profile graft cases dropped within the first 60 days of Ruto presidency. Barasa wants his cases dropped too.
But other ODM governors including Mombasa’s Abdulswamad Nassir and Kilifi’s Gideon Mung’aro have ditched Odinga to work with President Ruto.
