Siaya Senator James Orengo has been discouraged from vying for the gubernatorial position in the 2022 polls as he is better playing at a ‘biiger’ stage.
According to ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya, Orengo is much better at serving at the national level than at the county level.
During an address to journalists in Kisumu on Tuesday, September 21, Oparanya said that Siaya Senator James Orengo should not abandon Raila Odinga to fight for a county job.
“(James) Orengo is a very close friend of mine, he has been one of the most committed members of the ODM party. He has been in politics even longer than me,” Oparanya said.
Oparanya argued that the lawyer should maintain his place at the national stage as he will be useful to the party as Raila Odinga gives his 5th attempt at the presidency.
“Orengo needs to be closer to the party, closer to Baba (Raila Odinga), he should be closer to us as we go up there to the national level,” he said.
However, the Kakamega Governor said that if James Orengo makes the decision to still contest for the Siaya county gubernatorial seat, he will still support him.
The sentiments by Oparanya comes at a time when the ODM party is sharply divided over Raila Odinga’s endorsements of gubernatorial aspirants.
This is because a number of Raila Odinga’s allies are set to compete for the ODM nomination ticket as they set eyes on the Siaya Gubernatorial post.
Other than Siaya Senator James Orengo, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, and former auditor General Edward Ouko are embroiled in Governor Cornel Rasanga’s succession battle.
All the above are close to Raila Odinga and it will be interesting to see how the party nominations shall play out.
In Nyanza region, getting the ODM nomination ticket is usually considered a direct assurance you will be elected in the main election as the region only votes in ODM candidates.
If James Orengo chooses to shelve his ambitions, he might be among Raila’s close allies to benefit from his appointments when if the ODM leader assumes office.
