By ERICK JUMA
Siaya Governor James Orengo has challenged President William Ruto to publicly outline what the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) stands to gain if it supports his re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking to residents of Tingare during the official opening of a Sh52 million maternity complex funded by the Safaricom Foundation, Orengo said President Ruto should clearly state how ODM would benefit should the two sides form a government after the 2027 polls.
Orengo said the President should not leave ODM leader Raila Odinga and other party officials guessing about what the party stands to gain if it backs his presidential bid.
“Any potential suitor eyeing a beautiful lady he wants to marry makes his intentions clear and outlines what he brings to the table. President Ruto should do the same and tell us what we stand to gain if we support his presidential bid in 2027,” Orengo said.
He noted that once such proposals are made public, ODM members would deliberate on them and determine whether they are beneficial to the party. If consensus is reached, he said, the agreement should be formalised in a legally binding document to avoid betrayal.
The Siaya county boss questioned why President Ruto has remained silent on the possibility of a post-election arrangement with ODM.
“We shall not be party to initiatives aimed at frustrating our community from fielding a presidential candidate in 2027,” he said.
Orengo observed that many communities across the country are already strategising on fielding presidential candidates, while some politicians appear to be pushing the Luo community to wait until 2032 to vie for the presidency.
He further accused the President of making different political promises to various regions.
“Whenever he visits Central, Coast, Western and Nyanza regions, he appears to promise each community the position of Deputy President,” Orengo claimed.
The governor argued that in political negotiations, parties should aim for the highest possible position before settling for alternatives.
“If I had the opportunity to sit at the negotiation table with President Ruto, I would insist on the presidency, the seat he currently holds. It is through negotiations that leaders decide who shelves their ambitions in favour of the other,” he said.
Orengo warned that settling for the Deputy President’s position, currently held by Prof. Kithure Kindiki, would leave ODM with a lesser role despite being a party with a national outlook.
He also cautioned the public against politicians who promise development simply because one of their community members has been appointed to government.
According to Orengo, some ODM leaders who joined the government have failed to address the concerns of their constituents. He cited Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, saying electricity connectivity in parts of Siaya remains poor despite his position in government.
He also lamented the poor state of infrastructure in Ugunja constituency, particularly the Sigomere–Ywaya Road.
Orengo further dismissed reports that the government had set aside Sh2 billion to compensate families of victims killed during demonstrations.
“If it is true that Sh2 billion was allocated to compensate victims of protests, why have the affected families not benefited yet we are already in the third year of this administration?” he asked.
Referring to Raila Odinga’s nine-point reform agenda, Orengo said the government should prioritise addressing unemployment and the high cost of living before leaders focus on political positions.
“We still want President Ruto to implement the nine-point agenda he signed with Raila. If he has failed to honour that agreement, it becomes difficult to trust any arrangement concerning 2027,” he said.
