Orengo’s Courageous Response to ODM Ouster Rumours

Senate Minority Leader James Orengo has spoken out following rumours that he would be replaced from the position having been labelled a traitor by some of the ODM members.

During a senate session on the impeachment of Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud on Thursday, May 6, Orengo vowed that he would not be intimidated by anyone.

“I have seen powerful people come and go, I have seen Presidents come and go. If my day comes I will accept it, but my conscience, the way I was brought up I can never sell it, I would never,” he declared.

ODM party leader Raila Odinga (left) and Siaya Senator James Orengo.

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Further, Orengo ured his colleagues not to allow anyone to be intimidated while in the line of duty.

He compared those who were trying to muzzle his voice to behaving like a nation of beasts.

The Siaya senator had questioned the authenticity of the BBI document released to the public. He also poked holes on the legality as well as distribution of the proposed 70 new constituencies.

On Wednesday, ODM Communication Director Dennis Onyango indicated that the party had no plans to replace Orengo as the Leader of Minority in the Senate.

“Following changes effected on Wednesday to the representation of the Orange Democratic Movement in the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, there have been unfounded and widespread speculation that the Party is about to change its Minority leadership in the Senate.”

“We wish to clarify that Rt. Hon Raila Odinga, the ODM Party Leader and the Orange Democratic Movement have no plans to replace Senator James Orengo as the Leader of Minority in the Senate,” reads the statement.

Orengo’s ouster had been speculated after Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo was kicked out of the powerful Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC).

There have been internal wrangles within the party that risk causing delays or the collapse of the Building Bridges Initiative.