- Siaya Governor, James Orengo, claimed that several of his workers were arrested before President Ruto’s visit, demanding their immediate release.
- Orengo, who is backed by the Edwin Sifuna-led ODM rebel group, opposes any political deal with Ruto, warning that it will undermine ODM’s national appeal.
- ODM is divided, with Oburu Oginga and his allies supporting cooperation with Ruto, while the Orengo group accuses them of bidding for the party for personal interests
Governor of Siaya, James Orengohas claimed a series of arrests among some of his employees, linking the move to the government.
Source: Facebook
He said they were arrested on Saturday evening.
Why were James Orengo’s employees arrested?
Without revealing the identity of those arrested, the governor claimed their arrest was directly related to the planned visit of the President William Ruto in Siaya on Sunday, March 7.
He also did not delve into the details of their arrest or the reasons behind their arrest.
The governor demanded the release of his staff.
“This evening several of my employees have been arbitrarily arrested and detained in Siaya and Nairobi in connection with the President’s visit to Siaya tomorrow. This bad behavior of the police has no place in a constitutional democracy. I want them to be released immediately,” he said.
Orengo is one of the ODM rebel group, which has vowed to challenge Ruto from office.
Why is James Orengo opposing William Ruto?
He is supporting the ODM general secretary who is in crisis, Senator Edwin Sifunawho has also announced his disagreement with the party led by the party leader and Siaya senator Oburu Oginga.
Orengo warns the ODM party against considering any political plan with Ruto.
Ruto has been courting the party, promising equal cooperation with the UDA party if he succeeds in his quest for re-election in 2027.
Orengo opposes such a move, warning that it will reduce ODM to a regional party and deprive it of its national appeal.
According to him, any collaboration with Ruto will be futile, and the party should therefore be wary of his next move as the 2027 general election approaches.
Others in the group led by Sifuna are Senators Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga) and Edwin Sifuna from Nairobi, who is also the Secretary General of the party.
They accused their colleagues from another group of trying to bid the party for the president.
The branch is headed by Oburu. They have vowed to work with the president until 2027, giving signs of leading the party into an agreement with Ruto to support his re-election bid.
The side that supports Ruto says that the deceased Raila Odinga He blessed the partnership with Ruto and that is where they would stay.
Others in the camp supporting Ruto are Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed, Mombasa governor and deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir, Homa Bay governor and national chairman Gladys Wanga, and Kisii Governor Simba Arati.
In recent weeks, rival groups in the party have been exchanging accusations of bidding the movement for selfish interests.
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