Orengo Welcomes Firebrand Gem South MCA Otuom Polo to ODM Party

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Siaya Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo has said that co-opting members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party in cabinet does not amount to full cooperation. It should not, therefore, be presumed that UDA candidates will be welcome in Raila Amollo Odinga’s backyard.

The Siaya Governor further stated that ODM Party had merely lent President William Ruto its gallant soldiers to restore peace and stabilize the country and that did not warrant infiltration of UDA into Raila’s backyard.

The Siaya Governor James Aggrey Orengo while addressing mourners at the burial of Alego-Usonga ODM Party Chairperson John Orwenjo Umidha, last Saturday. Photos courtesy of the Directorate of Communication, Siaya County Government.

ODM released Ugunja MP and Secretary for Political Affairs James Opiyo Wandayi, ODM chairman John Nyong’o Mbaadi, and two ODM party deputies, Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya and Ali Hassan Joho to join Ruto’s cabinet.

Orengo was adamant that the arrangement reached by Raila with Ruto does not extend into fielding candidates of UDA in ODM zones.

The County boss was reacting to remarks from Ruto-allies that the relationship between UDA and ODM guarantees them opportunity to field candidates in any part of the country including Nyanza region.

UDA Secretary General while in Homabay had hinted at fielding UDA candidates in Ugunja by-elections.

Ugunja parliamentary seat fell vacant when Wandayi moved to Cabinet.

“We are going to field candidates in Ugunja parliamentary seat and that is a matter that requires expansive consultations,” he had said.

Orengo at the same time said thorough vetting will be performed on the few ODM leaders who abandoned Raila and became chummy with the Kenya Kwanza administration before the broadbased government came into effect.

Orengo further said that though they are eager for a total comeback of ODM Party rebels there are still issues of breach of trust and betrayal of party leadership and ideologies which they must surmount.

Similar sentiments were reiterated by ODM Party Chairperson Gladys Atieno Wanga who said that party-hoppers and betrayers will not be allowed to ride on the broadbased initiative to earn posts on ODM party ticket.

“The ODM party betrayers will get positions once they have proved that they are reformed and can be trusted with party positions,” Wanga said during the burial of former Alego-Usonga ODM Party chairman John Oruenjo Umidha.

Orengo vouched for women leaders saying they often don’t betray the party that sponsors them to the assemblies.

Governor Orengo said that women in leadership are more trustworthy than men who have a habit of abandoning their people for selfish gain.

Orengo also welcomed South Gem MCA Brian Chieng Anyango Obiero into ODM Party and urged him not to practice violence again.

“We are aware that Obiero alias Otuom Polo alias Odero was one of us (ODM) and sham party primaries saw him opting for the independent ticket,” said Orengo adding that it was negotiations that also involved Raila Odinga that had brought back Otuom Polo.

During the previous campaigns in South Gem, several people were injured and a vehicle was torched at Kambare and Brian was accused of being behind the chaos.

In turn Otuom Polo, declared in Public that he is in ODM Party to stay and will diligently subscribe to party ideologies.

Siaya County Assembly Speaker, George Okode confirmed that at no point has Otuom Polo ever voted against ODM Party in the Assembly.

Okode said that although the Gem South MP came to assembly on an Independent ticket he has on several occasions vote in favour of ODM Party in the Assembly.