Despite being a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Siaya County Governor James Orengo has pledged to work with President William Ruto.
Speaking in Siaya after President William Ruto broke ground on a Level 4 hospital in Ugenya Constituency on Friday, Orengo stated that the constitution requires county governments to collaborate with the national government.
Orengo stated that the politics for the country’s leadership had been settled and that he would continue to work with the national government.
“The Constitution says that the county governments must work with the national government, nobody will ask me why I have come here; on the politics we are playing, the constitution resolved that,” Orengo went on to remark.
Orengo stated that he will collaborate closely with Ruto for the purpose of growth, as the Constitution requires.
“We have come here because of development and not politics, when I got information that the President will be coming for development, I said I would attend,” he went on to say.
“I want it to be known that I have come here for development and not playing politics, politics will wait for its day.”
The governor stated that he will remain solidly in the ODM party while also working closely with Ruto, whom he described as a former Orange party member.
“Even if you come here and I am not present, please feel welcome, because as president, you are free to tour any part of the country for development,” stated the commander-in-chief.
It is unclear whether Raila Odinga, the ODM leader, will dismiss Orengo from the Orange party, given that all parliamentarians who shown interest in cooperating with Ruto have been ejected, with others facing large penalties.
Phelix Odiwour alias Jalang’o, a Lang’ata Member of Parliament, is one of five politicians removed from the party for collaborating with Ruto.
Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda is one of the others, as are MPs Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), and Gideon Ochanda (Bondo).
