Siaya Governor James Orengo has accused President William Ruto of fueling the ongoing turmoil within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), alleging that the Head of State has taken control of the opposition party following the death of its founding leader, Raila Odinga, in October 2025.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, Orengo claimed that President Ruto has been hosting ODM officials at State House and at his Kilgoris residence, actions he says amount to interference in the party’s affairs.
“The problem in ODM is President Ruto. We are asking Ruto to let ODM go. Let ODM alone. He has not taken it hostage; he is in possession of the ODM party. He is convening meetings of ODM organs. Leave ODM alone,” Orengo stated.
The governor recalled engaging President Ruto after he assumed office in 2022, saying he had cautioned him against undermining political parties. Orengo maintained that ODM is a people-driven movement that should not be controlled by a handful of individuals.
He strongly opposed the National Executive Committee’s (NEC) decision to remove Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, insisting that Sifuna remains the legitimate holder of the position.
“The Secretary General of Raila Odinga’s ODM Party is Edwin Sifuna,” Orengo declared.
Orengo defended Sifuna’s record, noting that he had stood with Raila during critical moments and successfully managed party affairs through two general elections.
“During the entire life of Raila Odinga and during the period in which Edwin Sifuna was the secretary general, there is no single moment that Raila criticized Edwin Sifuna in public,” he said.
He further dismissed critics of Sifuna as illegitimate, asserting that the Nairobi Senator speaks for the party.
In a controversial statement, Orengo also suggested that Raila Odinga’s death — which occurred at Devamatha Hospital in India due to reported health complications — remains shrouded in mystery.
“I also want to say without fear of contradiction that the death of Raila Odinga… which is still a mystery to many of us… Those who bear responsibility for the death of Raila Odinga are out there. They are silent about it, but I hope that one day we will determine the circumstances in which Raila passed away,” he claimed.
The remarks come as the crisis within ODM deepens. The NEC announced that Deputy Secretary-General and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo will serve as acting Secretary-General pending the election of a substantive office holder.
However, Sifuna has rejected the decision, maintaining that his removal is unlawful and politically motivated. He has accused President Ruto of masterminding the move, arguing that it is retaliation for his refusal to support the President’s re-election bid.
Sifuna insists that no lawful process was followed to remove him and that he remains the duly elected Secretary-General, a position he has held for nine years.
