Orengo to lead delegation to State House today

Siaya Governor James Orengo. [File, Standard]

After several months of criticisms against President William Ruto's administration and the so-called broad-based government, Siaya Governor James Orengo will today lead a delegation to State House, Nairobi.

The move follows efforts to pacify the region and rally all leaders to support the government.

Orengo, who has been battling a backlash from some ODM members over his hardline stand against Raila Odinga's union with Kenya Kwanza, has also been trying to reach out to Ruto.

Orengo confirmed he had written to President Ruto after holding talks with Raila, seeking a meeting.

"I wrote to the President seeking audience and told him we wanted to meet him as Siaya elected leaders. He responded saying he was going to meet us through the office of the Head of Public Service. We have agreed under the leadership of Raila that we will work together as leaders from Siaya for the sake of our people. Our county needs to move forward," he said.

Yesterday, The Standard established that the plan for a meeting with the President had been finalised and leaders from Siaya would go to push for their priority projects.

In his last week's visit to Nyanza, Ruto skipped Siaya despite unveiling several projects in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi described the State House meeting as a development visit. "The visit will include all elected leaders, professionals, religious leaders, businessmen, youth and women representatives from the county," he said.

While Homa Bay and Kisumu counties have continued to receive benefits from the national government, there are no major development projects ongoing in Siaya.

Orengo has been a strong critic of President Ruto following his open defiance of the Orange party's newfound relationship with the ruling UDA party.

During the burial of ODM leader Raila Odinga's bodyguard about two months ago, which President Ruto attended, the Governor told ODM supporters that they should stand up and fight for their rights.

But Orengo has met criticism from Wandayi, Senator Oburu Oginga, and MPs David Ochieng (Ugenya), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Sam Atandi (Alego Usonga) and Gideon Ochanda (Bondo).

A group calling themselves professionals from Siaya also claimed they were plotting his impeachment, a move that flopped after MCAs sided with Orengo.

Oburu has on several public functions hit out at the Governor, questioning Orengo's decision to insist on activism.