Wandayi accuses Orengo of misleading Nyanza, dares him to declare presidential candidacy

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has sharply criticized Siaya Governor James Orengo over what he termed as misleading the Luo community regarding the region's political direction.

Speaking during a fundraiser at Ngunya Catholic Church in Ugunja constituency, Wandayi said it was illogical to tell the community that being in government is undesirable after years of seeking access to government.

“Let us ask him to leave the citizens of this place alone. These citizens know where they are going. If he says that being inside the government is bad, then what is good? And all these years we have been fighting so that we can get into government. How can you say that being in government is bad and yet all these years we have been fighting to be in government? What logic is that?” posed Wandayi.

The CS urged Orengo to allow residents to make their own political choices, arguing that the community is politically aware and capable of deciding its direction.

Wandayi stated that leaders from Luo Nyanza, including MPs, Cabinet Secretaries, governors and Principal Secretaries, among others, are working within the government to push the region’s development agenda.

"We are working together with all the leaders of this region. We are working together in unity. Therefore, I have no worries. We have decided that our candidate for the presidential seat next year is President William Samoei Ruto,” he said. 

The energy CS further dared Orengo to declare an alternative presidential candidate. 

“If you have your candidate, Mr. Governor, come forward and tell us who it is. Or if it is you yourself who wants to run, come forward and say it today, and then we can compete against each other,” he said. 

Wandayi added that he will lead a campaign across the Nyanza region to mobilize support for the Ruto in the next election.