Governor James Orengo wants Luo community to re-negotiate with President Ruto

Siaya Governor James Orengo has asked the Luo community to enter a new broad-based government agreement with President William Ruto. Orengo said that from the pro-independence struggle through independence, the Luo community, driven by nationalism, has entered into various agreements only to be betrayed later. Orengo, who spoke in Migori during the annual Piny Luo festival, urged the president to put all his cards on the table. He added that the Luo community deserve additional roles in the broad-based government. Orengo said the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga declined to lead Kenya to independence until Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was released from prison. “At independence, two Luos—Oginga and Tom Mboya—held very powerful positions in the country. Oginga was the Vice President, while Mboya was the Secretary General of KANU. They betrayed Oginga, who resigned from government, while Mboya was assassinated. That is why I plead with you, my community members. The legacy of the late Raila Amolo Odinga is big, and we must protect it,” he said. The governor urged the community to review any deals negotiated with the government. “I plead with the Luo community. One of these days you may remember what I am saying here in Migori,” he said. “Gima osethagowa ni wawinjore in the spirit of nationalism to kawasedonjo kamoro to iganjowa. Akwayo ni gima wadwaro donje ni wagot tamsi maber. Moro ni awachonu kaye, ero awachonu kaye e Migori ka.” Orengo revisited the support of former President Uhuru Kenyatta that was meant to deliver Raila’s presidency but failed. “We talked about the ‘system’ ahead of the 2022 presidential election, and it did not deliver the presidency. So, we must be very sure whether Ruto’s second term will guarantee us something,” he said. ODM Party leader Dr. Oburu Odinga said the community would remain in government and could not break its agreement with President Ruto. “Do not think we are cowards. We know what is happening. We are careful. We have an agreement up to 2027, and we cannot break it because that is where Raila left us. We want to make ODM strong. We cannot leave the government now or in the future. We want ODM to be in government,” Oburu said.