Former Non-Executive Chairperson of the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency, Odoyo Owidi, has questioned the effectiveness of Siaya Governor James Orengo in supporting the national government, citing his long history in opposition politics.
In a statement shared on X on Monday, Owidi argued that Orengo’s decades-long career primarily from opposition benches limits his capacity to campaign for or defend government policies.
“James Orengo has spent fifty years in politics, operating primarily from the opposition benches. He is unfamiliar with any form of politics other than that of opposition. Consequently, it will be challenging for him to campaign effectively while supporting the government,” Owidi said.
Owidi further contended that Orengo tends to attribute national challenges exclusively to the government, a mindset he described as narrowly focused.
“Orengo possesses only the tools of opposition. To him, every problem is a mistake of the national government—much like a carpenter who would suggest using a hammer to swat a mosquito,” he added.
The remarks come amid a period of cautious engagement between the Ruto administration and leaders traditionally aligned with opposition parties.
Governor Orengo, a senior figure in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has been vocal in critiquing government initiatives while engaging selectively in cooperative frameworks with the national leadership.
Owidi concluded his message with a direct recommendation to the Siaya governor, suggesting he consider stepping back from active politics.
“My advice to Governor James Orengo is to retire from politics rather than raising his voice with insincere rallying cries,” he stated.