Siaya Governor James Orengo has stated that, had the Mount Kenya region listened to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the country would not be in the trouble it is facing today.
Speaking during the funeral of the late former Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the outspoken politician, who has been critical of the current administration, said that the region could have followed Uhuru’s advice and voted for the late Raila Odinga, whom he was supporting and whom he had urged several times to back, but they chose to back his then deputy William Ruto.
He added that it could have been a win-win situation for Mount Kenya had they voted for Raila with Martha Karua as his running mate, then, according to Orengo, following Raila’s death in 2025, their daughter, who would have been the deputy president, could have ascended to the top seat to take over the presidency after Raila’s death
Orengo also took a swipe at the current state of his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which has seen the party split into two factions—the Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground factions. He told Uhuru that the people causing this split were brought in by him, causing the retired president to laugh. Orengo continued, saying that Uhuru should come out and “smoke them out”. Since he is the one who brought them.
“Mnajua nyinyi watu wa mlima mngesikia uhuru wakati ule hatungekuwa na hii taabu,” Orengo said.
ODM situation
He added that the late Raila Odinga had warned party members against chanting “Tutam” or speaking about President William Ruto’s re-election, yet members of his party, whom he referred to as “wafanyabiashara”, are still doing so. He predicted doom for them, saying that the whole country is against Ruto and supports the Wantam movement.
Orengo further accused President Ruto of attempting to take over ODM, just as he tried with the Jubilee Party, describing it as an effort to “buy” the party. However, he vowed that the Linda Mwananchi team would not allow this to happen.
He urged mourners and Kirinyaga residents not to give President Ruto any peace in the remaining months leading up to the general election.
