Ruto to Host Siaya Leaders as Raila-Orengo Friction Thaws
President William Ruto is set to host a high-profile delegation of Siaya leaders, including Governor James Orengo, in a meeting widely viewed as a political turning point. Scheduled for Thursday at State House, Nairobi, the engagement is expected to highlight key development priorities for Siaya County while offering a glimpse into shifting alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
The breakfast meeting, spearheaded by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, marks a major moment in the evolving relationship between the Kenya Kwanza administration and Luo Nyanza, one of the country’s most politically vocal regions.
Leaders are expected to present a detailed memorandum on projects that need the national government’s intervention. However, beneath the development agenda lies a deeper political calculus.
Governor Orengo, once a vocal critic of the Ruto administration, is said to have softened his stance after ODM leader Raila Odinga urged regional leaders to unite for the sake of development. During a closed-door session over the weekend, Raila called for a political ceasefire, urging leaders to allow Governor Orengo and others to work without internal sabotage.
“Time for campaigns is coming. Give the leaders, Orengo, Oburu and Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi, time to work,” Raila said.
This shift follows months of friction between Orengo and Raila, driven in part by the latter’s growing rapport with President Ruto. Orengo’s earlier resistance to the warming ties had raised concerns of disunity within ODM ranks. At one point, the Siaya governor attempted to independently seek an audience with the President but was rebuffed.
An April 17 letter from Orengo to Ruto proposed a consultative meeting involving MPs, MCAs, Cabinet Secretaries, and county executives. At the time, Orengo’s sharp criticism of the government hampered progress. Now, however, unity appears to be the theme.
Senator Oburu Oginga echoed Raila’s sentiments, stating, “Development does not happen where there is division. We will go to the meeting as one people.”
All elected Siaya leaders, including MCAs, are now expected to attend the meeting, signaling a thaw in political hostilities and a shift toward pragmatism.
For Ruto, Thursday’s engagement is an opportunity to demonstrate that his administration is ready to work with all Kenyans, regardless of past political affiliations. For Raila, it is a test of whether collaboration with Ruto can yield tangible benefits without eroding his political base.
As the country inches closer to the next general election, this meeting may define not only the future of Siaya but also the broader trajectory of national politics.
Instant Analysis:
For Siaya residents, the looming question is whether development is best achieved through confrontation or collaboration. The answer may shape Kenya’s political landscape for years to come.
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Ruto to Host Siaya Leaders as Raila-Orengo Friction Thaws