Orengo under fire in Siaya as Oburu-led ODM faction endorses Nicholas Gumbo for governor

The political standing of Siaya Governor James Orengo came under sharp scrutiny on Saturday, February 21 after senior Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders aligned to Oburu Oginga publicly criticized him and rallied behind former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo as their preferred candidate for the county’s top seat. At a charged rally held in Orengo’s absence, Oburu and National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi accused the governor of siding with the Edwin Sifuna-led faction of ODM, urging Siaya residents to “discipline” him at the ballot in the next election. Orengo skipped the event in his own county to attend a parallel meeting organized by the Sifuna wing. In a show of political intent, the Oburu faction formally welcomed Gumbo back to ODM and encouraged him to contest the governorship. Gumbo, a longtime rival of Orengo, is expected to pose a significant challenge should he enter the race. Mbadi launched a blistering attack on Orengo, alleging that the governor had historically undermined the Odinga family’s political ambitions. “He caused trouble for Jaramogi and even Raila. Such a person does not deserve to be elected again,” Mbadi said. Suna East MP Junet Mohamed echoed the sentiment, saying he was pleased that Siaya residents had resolved not to re-elect Orengo for “going against the party’s position.” Orengo, however, has remained defiant. Speaking two weeks earlier, he dismissed fears of impeachment or political backlash, saying the intimidation he faces today is nothing compared to what he endured during the Moi era. He accused President William Ruto of orchestrating turmoil within ODM following the death of Raila Odinga in October 2025. “The problem in ODM is President Ruto. We are asking President Ruto to let ODM be. Leave ODM alone. He is in possession of the party called ODM,” Orengo said at Ahindi Grounds in Siaya. At the same rally, Oburu Oginga—leading the “Linda Ground” faction in its first major Nyanza event—told members dissatisfied with his stance to leave the party rather than destabilize it from within. “We are not expelling anybody from the party, but anybody who feels uncomfortable with us is free to leave,” he said. Oburu added that upcoming negotiations would focus on structured agreements around governance, development programs, and power sharing, rather than loose political alliances.