Orengo urges Uhuru to ‘smoke out’ ODM leaders dragging his name into party wrangles

Siaya Governor James Orengo has urged former President Uhuru Kenyatta to rein in his former allies who have turned and are now misusing his name within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

Speaking during the burial service of former Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba Kimaru at Njega Primary School on Wednesday, Orengo accused unnamed individuals within ODM of dragging Kenyatta’s name into internal party affairs, calling on the former Head of State to publicly distance himself from them.

“Nataka kumkosoa Uhuru kidogo pia…kwa sababu nataka kusema ukweli…wale watu wanatusumbua kwa ODM, walikuwa watu wake. Siku hizi wanasema eti Uhuru ametupatia pesa, na hao ndio walikuwa watu wa Uhuru zaidi. Please, smoke them out, because they’re spoiling your name, na wanajulikana,” he said.

At the same time, Orengo referenced the late former ODM party leader Raila Odinga, reiterating his position against premature succession politics.

“Raila Amollo Odinga told people in ODM ya kwamba mwache kuzungumza mambo ya ‘two-term’ (tutam). Alisema wazi, lakini kuna wafanyabiashara wengine kwa chama chetu wameingilia hii mambo ya tutam. Nataka kuwajulisha ya kwamba juzi tumekuwa kule Mombasa, karibu Kenya mzima is ‘one-term.’”

Orengo’s remarks come amid growing tensions within ODM over succession debates and alleged external influence.

He also launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, whom he repeatedly referred to as “Kasongo,” accusing him of political interference and unfulfilled promises.

“Kasongo must go, but you must also know he is a very strategic politician. Aliingilia chama cha Jubilee, sasa ameingilia chama cha ODM. Amenunua chama cha ODM kwa wenzetu lakini sisi tunasema hatachukua ODM kamwe!” He said.

The Siaya Governor further called for sustained political pressure against the President, alleging failure to deliver on commitments he made to Raila.

“Naomba wakati huu, we must make the life of Kasongo very difficult. Msikubali alale. Na kule Nyanza msiwe na wasiwasi. Kasongo alitoa ahadi kwa Raila Amollo Odinga ya 10-point agenda…hajatimiza hata moja. Therefore we’re saying with one voice, Kenya must change, we must have a transformation in this country. And for that to take place, Kasongo must go,” he said.