‘Apologise Or Resign!’ – Bondo Residents Tell Governor Orengo After Raila Fall-Out
Business in Raila Odinga’s hometown of Bondo, Siaya County, came to a halt on Saturday as hundreds of citizens flocked to the streets to protest.
Governor James Orengo’s ongoing criticism of Odinga and President William Ruto’s working relationship has fueled the demonstrations.
Residents carrying twigs and placards urged that the governor perform a political U-turn and apologise to the Orange Democratic Movement for his recent remarks.
He has continued to criticize the working relationship between his party’s leader and Ruto.
Residents argued that the governor’s criticism of the cooperation was inappropriate and disrespectful to the party.
Furthermore, they urged that if Orengo failed to meet the requests, he quit so that a new county head may be elected in the country.
Businesses come to a standstill in Bondo as residents demonstrate against Orengo pic.twitter.com/P7Wyzq59Mc
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) April 20, 2025
The neighbors drew comparisons with a political conflict that occurred in 2015 during the funeral of Raila Odinga’s son, Fidel Odinga.
Governor Orengo informed hundreds of mourners that he would not join the ‘bandwagon of praise and worship’ after Raila’s handshake with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“We, as the people of Bondo, have decided that we will not accept the position taken by James Orengo,” a resident stated during the demos.
“He did a similar thing during the burial of Fidel Odinga, and he still wants to repeat a similar thing. We will not accept it.”
In their demands, the marchers demanded the ODM party discipline the governor for publicly defying the party’s position.
They claimed that Orengo appeared to be defying the party’s position, which they believed would promote development in the Nyanza region.
They also accuse him of doing little to enhance Siaya County while serving as Governor.
Last Monday, Orengo boldly reminded ODM supporters in front of Raila and Ruto that they needed to stand up for their rights.
“I cannot be a praise-singer. We fought for a democratic constitution where people should speak freely,” Orengo asserted.
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“I urge Kenyans to tell their leaders the truth. This country will go to the dogs again if the kind of language we hear continues.”
“If anything is brought to Siaya County, it will be as a matter of right, not as a favour,” Orengo maintained, adding, “There is a need to battle for your rights, and you will still have a better country.”
Orengo’s words have also offended other ODM members.
Budget Committee Chair and Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi accused Orengo of being aggressive with the broad-based governing arrangement, casting the ODM party in a negative light.
“Orengo has always thrived in the opposition; he uses it to evade accountability,” stated Atandi.
‘Apologise Or Resign!’ – Bondo Residents Tell Governor Orengo After Raila Fall-Out
