Orengo makes U-turn on Raila-Ruto deal as he leads Siaya delegation to State House

Siaya Governor James Orengo, who has long played hard to get since the formation and subsequent formalisation of the broad-based government in March this year, has finally softened his stance.

Governor Orengo, a staunch critic of the political cooperation between President William Ruto’s UDA and Raila Odinga’s ODM parties, has made a dramatic about-turn.

The Governor, who recently warned Nyanza residents against aligning with the Kenya Kwanza administration, on Thursday led a delegation of county leaders to State House to present Siaya’s development agenda to President Ruto.

Orengo had maintained defiance, dismissing the arrangement as unnecessary, arguing that national development was a constitutional right, not a privilege to be earned through political loyalty or praise-singing.

"I want to plead with our people, the Luo. We have our identity. If we lose that identity for easy victory, we are going to pay for it… We must not make compromises… We must stand firm, ODM must not be part of Ruto’s praise and worship team," he said on January 18 this year.

But on Thursday, the seasoned politician made a dramatic U-turn, with political commentators likening the move to a climb-down, bordering on submission.

This, from a man who only recently declared that seeking development requires no kneeling down.

"Please come to our aid in transforming Siaya..." Orengo said on Thursday.

In a further twist, Orengo went on to commend some of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s initiatives, notably the Social Health Authority (SHA), which he credited with significantly boosting the county’s revenue streams.

"Out of 175 facilities in Siaya, we have registered 163 facilities… we are not in the big league, but you can understand initially (laughs)... You know what I mean..." he said amidst laughter.

President Ruto, in turn, reiterated his message that the broad-based government is God-sent and should be embraced by all regions for the country to fully unlock its development potential.

"There are now no characters to go and tell Baba, 'Oh, you see, there is a problem.' Baba told them, 'No, no...'" Ruto said.

Orengo’s unexpected move is being read by many as a signal of shifting tides and a sign that the broad-based government is not just surviving the political storm but gaining traction.