ODM leaders from the Luo Nyanza region have accused Siaya Governor James Orengo of trying to create confusion in the party, with the aim of dividing the community.
Speaking during a community empowerment funds drive in Rarieda Sub County, ODM party chair Gladys Wanga said the party will not accept anyone trying to create confusion in its leadership structure.
A month ago, Orengo declared himself ODM party leader in total disregard of the National Delegates’ Conference’s endorsement resolution to install Dr. Oburu Oginga in the position.
“Immediately after the death of Raila Odinga last year, the party endorsed Oburu to be the acting party leader with the blessing of Orengo, Senator Edwin Sifuna and governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o, only for Orengo who gave Oburu a traditional stool during installation and Sifuna who swore in the new chair to change tune three months later,” said Wanga.
Wanga who is also the Homabay Governor, asked Orengo to accept and respect the will and decision of the party organs, claiming his change of heart was purely driven by jealousy and meant to cause division in the twenty-year-old party.
“Every other community in ODM has embraced Oburu as the party leader. It is only here in Siaya that Orengo is against Oburu and has gone ahead to declare himself party leader to create confusion,” Wanga said.
She asked the Luo community not to accept leaders that are out to create confusion, adding that the community and the ODM party must remain united under the leadership of Dr. Oburu Oginga.
“Our community’s strength is in our unity. We are not the largest or the richest community in the country, but our unity is what gives us strength, and we will not accept anybody trying to divide us,” said Wanga.
Wanga said that the ODM party and the Luo community have made a deliberate choice to be in the broad-based government because of the development projects and leadership positions president William Ruto accorded them in the short stint they have been working together.
By Brian Ondeng
