Siaya Governor James Orengo has openly accused a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leaders of betraying the party by “selling” it to President William Ruto.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Citizen TV, Orengo alleged that the leaders, aligned with the Linda Ground faction, have been receiving orders from the State House regarding the making of key party decisions.
He mentioned ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, Suna East Junet Mohamed, Governors Abdulswamad Nassir and Simba Arati as key conspirators in plans to change the party’s leadership shortly after Raila Odinga’s death.
“The willing sellers are a cabal of ODM officials. When they were making changes to ODM leadership when Raila’s body was still in India, in that meeting there was Gladys Wanga, Junet Mohamed, Governor Arati and Governor Nassir from Mombasa. I can predict that they couldn’t be sitting with a stranger, Ruto, making decisions of the party if he has not bought into the party,” Orengo stated.
The Siaya Governor further claimed that President William Ruto has been financing ODM activities, including the ODM@20 celebrations held in Mombasa in November 2025.
“President Ruto is the willing buyer. It is not a secret. That is how ODM can hold meetings in State House and President Ruto presides. Also in his private residence in Kilgoris, and he is the one funding the party. Despite the fact the party is owed Ksh.12 billion by the government, he is funding even the meeting held in Mombasa.”
Orengo further said ODM still has a strong national presence and extensive political networks, warning that without careful leadership, the party risks shrinking into a regional outfit around Nyanza Region.
He, however, expressed confidence that loyal party members and a new generation of young leaders, including Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna could help revive and strengthen the party.
“I think the faithful in ODM, and they don’t want their party to die. We have got young people in the party who can revive it; the Babu Owinos, Sifunas, Osotis,” he said.
James Orengo, who is aligned to the Linda Mwananchi faction, ruled out the possibility of a reunion with the Oburu-led Linda Ground camp, dismissing the group as opportunists driven by self-interest.
“That’s the wrong group. That’s the group selling the party, being transactional and are opportunists. They should come to us because we hold on to the true spirit of ODM,” said Orengo.
