Decision by Siaya Governor James Orengo to publicly disown the broad-based government forged by President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader Raila Odinga seems has opened the Pandora’s Box and laid bare the long suppressed rift in the party’s stronghold.

Bondo residents have criticised Siaya Governor James Orengo for publicly dissociating himself from the broad-based government and called for disciplinary action against him by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party disciplinary committee.

Orengo who spoke in the presence of President William Ruto and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga during the burial of Odinga’s aide, George Oduor, last week said he will not be forced to support their broad-based arrangement.

“As a party, we cannot be in a position where we are satisfied with the status quo. We must always challenge the status quo. As a party, if we want to move ahead, we must be ready to challenge the status quo. What I am trying to say is that let’s build a society that is built on the Constitution and the rule of law. We can say many things but for me, I cannot be a praise singer. This Constitution that we fought for is a very difficult document to keep and if we keep on singing praises every time, we will not have a country. Tell your leaders the truth,” the governor charged.

Orengo is alleged to have ferried mourners to the funeral to show his might against the duo and his actions have elicited strong reactions with some terming it as an embarrassment to his party leader Raila Odinga in the presence of President William Ruto.

Jack Mawere has led Bondo residents in holding peaceful demonstrations and has spoken a few days after elders from the region shared similar sentiments demanding that ODM’s disciplinary committee takes action against the governor over his alleged misbehaviour.

Mawere demanded that Governor Orengo should publicly apologise to Raila or risk being a one term governor. He accused Orengo for allegedly working with the ousted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to undermine the broad-based government.

“For the first time we have a minister for finance and an attorney-general coming from our region but Orengo is uncomfortable with the broad-based government and is working with Gachagua to undermine Raila and Ruto. He has crossed redline and touched a live wire,” said Mawere.

Dan Onaga said that Bondo people will no longer recognise Orengo as governor until he apologises to the party leader.

“If he does not respect the president or our party leader, he should not step in Bondo. We are ready for his impeachment by the county assembly and a bi-election be held so that we can elect a new governor,” Onaga said.

Fatuma Abdala Mohamed and South Sakwa youth leader Sam Ombok said Orengo allegedly acted in a similar manner during the burial of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1994 before the late President Daniel Moi and also during the burial of Fidel Odinga in 2015, where he took advantage of funeral platform to get political mileage.

“Enough is enough. He (Orengo) has to be stopped. He did it during Jaramogi’s funeral, during Fidel Odinga’s funeral and now during George Oduors’ funeral. We cannot let him continue to embarrass us. This governor who has no development track record except attending musical concerts should apologise to Raila Odinga or risk being a one term governor,” Ombok said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Brian Ondeng

Residents of Bondo town holding demonstrations against Siaya governor James Orengo.