Siaya Governor, James Orengo, has criticized Siaya Senator, Oburu Odinga, over his remarks advocating for a “little benevolent dictatorship,” describing the statement as unfortunate and warning that such sentiments could erode the democratic gains secured under the 2010 Constitution.
In his remarks during the assenting of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, 2026 Oburu Odinga lamented that individuals with vested interests were frustrating transformative government projects and programmes, stating that “there is too much democracy; there should be some little benevolent dictatorship so that some things can move.”
He went on to clarify, “Mr President, I don’t want to say that you should be a dictator. I am not saying that, but some of these things like SHA, I think people who are criticizing it don’t go into details on what is happening.”
The Siaya Senator cited the Social Health Authority (SHA) as a transformative programme that has so far covered more than 30 million Kenyans, recalling the challenges previous regimes faced in their quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Speaking after a meeting with Mombasa opinion leaders, Orengo, who has recently fallen out with the ODM leadership and is one of the principals of the Linda Mwananchi movement, said he was shocked and disturbed by Oburu’s remarks made during the assent to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, 2026, on Wednesday.
“I was surprised and shocked that our brother Oburu, who comes from a political family that has fought for democracy and belongs to a party whose name bears the word democracy, would invite Ruto to be a benevolent dictator,” stated Orengo.
He added, “As if already Ruto is not a dictator. You have heard about extrajudicial killings and abductions, but now it is a shock and a tragedy for somebody who is in Parliament, and more particularly in the Senate, and has taken an oath under the 2010 Constitution, to invite a president who is already authoritarian to become a benevolent dictator.”
Orengo said the movement had begun grassroots engagements in the Coast region and would traverse Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta counties to popularize the Linda Mwananchi outfit.
He affirmed that the outfit is a national movement and appealed to its supporters not to reduce it to a tribal arrangement.
“We don’t want a tribal arrangement. It’s a national movement, and the Coast has always been important in the national movement to bring change in the country,” stated Orengo.
He also wished Ol Kalou voters a peaceful by-election and urged them to vote “for the party of the moment in Ol Kalou, which stands with us in the opposition to bring about change in the country.”
Brian Weke, a Linda Mwananchi leader, echoed Orengo’s sentiments on benevolent dictatorship, saying they fought for democracy, constitutionalism and the protection of citizens’ rights, while underscoring the importance of public participation before the implementation of government projects and programmes.
“Our party ODM fought for freedom, democracy and a new constitution that provides for public participation,” said Weke, alleging that the Oburu faction had lost direction.
He said they had tasked Orengo with serving as a unifying figure in the opposition and bringing together opposition leaders to front a single presidential candidate.
Suleiman Mwakitsanga, Chairman of the Wamiji Council of Elders, lauded Orengo for engaging grassroots leaders, lamenting that the cost of healthcare had become unaffordable for many Kenyans.
He urged opposition leaders to unite in their quest to bring change to the country. “We won’t go back, come rain or shine. We will work with Orengo, Sifuna and Gachagua to save this country,” said Mwakitsanga.
On his part, youth leader, Robert Nyiro, said they had faith in the Linda Mwananchi movement to address historical land injustices at the Coast, tackle unemployment and ensure more young people access education.
By Sadik Hassan
