Siaya Governor James Orengo has accused President William Ruto of weakening the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), alleging that the Head of State is attempting to reduce the party into a regional Luo Nyanza outfit while using political violence and hired goons to disrupt opposition rallies.
Speaking during his tour of Homa Bay County on Wednesday, Orengo claimed that President Ruto had failed to honour the commitments contained in the 10-point agenda signed with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga before the co-operation agreement between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Addressing the President directly, Orengo said Ruto had not implemented any of the agreed reforms despite repeatedly expressing support for the Luo community.
“President Ruto, if you really love the Luo people, you must keep the promises you made to Raila Amolo Odinga. Those commitments were put in writing in the 10-point agenda, yet you have not implemented even one,” Orengo said.
The governor further accused the President of fuelling divisions within ODM, arguing that the emergence of the Linda Ground and Linda Mwananchi factions was a direct result of interference by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Orengo maintained that Raila Odinga had made it clear that any political coalition with President Ruto would only be considered after the full implementation of the 10-point agenda. He alleged that the President had instead weakened ODM by drawing some of its leaders into his camp.
“You have taken away Raila’s party the strongest party in the Republic of Kenya. You want to turn it into a Luo party,” Orengo said.
He also criticised ODM leaders backing President Ruto’s re-election bid, accusing them of betraying the party’s ideals and insisting that members aligned to the Linda Mwananchi faction would not be intimidated.
Tension marked Orengo’s visit to Homa Bay Town after a group of youths attempted to block his entry into the central business district. The youths barricaded the Homa Bay–Rongo road using stones and construction materials, triggering clashes with Orengo’s supporters.
The rival groups engaged in stone-throwing before Orengo’s convoy eventually made its way into the town, where he addressed residents and condemned what he described as the use of hired goons to disrupt political meetings.
