Raila fires Orengo from his kitchen cabinet – Weekly Citizen

ODM leader Raila Odinga has dropped Siaya senator James Orengo from his kitchen cabinet ahead of 2022 elections.
Sources say that of late, Orengo is almost persona non grata in Raila strategy meetings, including those for Kibra by-election with Raila preferring to deal with the youthful blood in his party to counter the emerging William Ruto factor in president Uhuru Kenyatta race.

Raila

Jubilee secretary general Raphael Tuju is said to have replaced Orengo as the key man. It is said of late, Raila calls Tuju, a cabinet secretary without portfolio, almost three times a day but rarely raises Orengo. According to sources, the Raila family has for long been uncomfortable with Orengo whom they claim was praying that Raila quits politics after 2017 presidential race and eventually take over as Luo political voice.
During Raila Supreme Court case challenging Uhuru’s win, Raila is said to have been comfortable with Rarienda MP Otiende Amollo than Orengo. Other sources say Orengo was among Raila allies opposed to the handshake deal and that is why Raila decided to go with MP Mohammed Junnet and his daughter to Harambee House during the handshake deal.
Weekly Citizen has information the coming Kibra parliamentary seat by-election is a ticking time-bomb for the ODM party and Raila if the party candidate loses the seat to either Ruto sponsored soccer superstar Macdonald Mariga or ANC’s Eliud Owallo as reports indicate such a result will be a perfect excuse for some top officials and senior members trooping out of the party for political survival.

Siaya Senator James Orengo

Raila confidants worried of his future have told scribes in confidence that many senior members of the Orange party who have for long been dependent on Agwambo’s name to get elected and remain relevant fear that the handshake deal with Uhuru which has not benefited Raila supporters could be cannibalising him gradually and could render him a political spentforce come 2022.
Among officials said to be having one leg out of the ODM door already is Orengo.
According to Orengo, the handshake has markedly weakened Agwambo and he seems to be exiting the political scene unwillingly like it happened to former strong politicians like Martin Shikuku, Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and even Koigi Wa Wamwere who initially were darlings of the people but found themselves abandoned by voters along the way.
Orengo and his ilk have secretly been telling people that Raila has passed his sale-by-date and should call it a day from politics.
Other sources say Raila has the likes of ODM chairman John Mbadi and secretary general Eliud Sifuna that Orengo does not get on well with him hence his current misfortunes. It is also emerging that it is Orengo who introduced Jimmy Wanjigi to Raila only for Wanjigi to fail to fulfill his campaign fund pledge in 2017.

Raphael Tuju

The arrival of Tuju was schemed by Mbadi to tame Orengo. Another face Mbadi has brought in Raila kitchen cabinet to handle the Kisii equation is Senator Sam Ongeri. The current working relationship between Raila and CS Fred Matiang’i is courtesy of Ongeri. It is aimed at checkmating Ruto support in Gusiiland. Before joining ODM in 2016, Ongeri was one of most despised politicians among ODM party supporters in Gusii.
Since joining ODM, Ongeri has been instrumental in the party, with Raila depending on his advice. During the burial of Hezron Manduku, Raila praised Ongeri and kept making reference to him throughout his speech in Nyaribari Masaba.
At a recent fundraiser in Gusii, Mbadi praised Ongeri saying he is a visionary leader. For now, Raila is depending on Ongeri’s experience to bring Abagusii community together ahead of 2022.
Ongeri recently led Gusii leaders to Raila’s office where long time critic Jimmy Angwenyi joined the camp.

Sam Ongeri

Back to Orengo, he has of late opted to strategically remain silent both on local and national matters, ostensibly working on a method to counterattack perceived political storm heavily threatening his efforts to succeed area governor Cornel Rasanga.
His politically rivals have teamed up in ensuring that the ground is hostile for the seasoned lawyer who enjoyed a back-to- back victory from 2007 when he narrowly won as Ugenya MP against Steve Mwanga.
In the current political formation in Siaya county, early signs show that local leaders are divided into two factions, that supporting Orengo and the other championing for the Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi to be the next governor.
Apart from Atandi, others in Orengo’s camp are not known. Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo and his Rarieda counterpart Amollo are watching as events unfold.
On the other hand, Wandayi, enjoys the support of Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), women representative Christine Ombaka, nominated MP Jacqueline Oduol, Rasanga and Raila’s brother Oburu Oginga. With Oburu opposed to Orengo, then it speaks volumes.
Oburu is in his brother’s kitchen cabinet. Another key player in Raila team is Mombasa governor Ali Joho and Anne Waiguru. Maina Kamanda political wars with Ruto, have seen him move close Raila’s side.