Orengo Condemns Arrest of Staff Ahead of Ruto’s Siaya Visit

By Our Correspondent

Siaya Governor James Orengo has condemned the arrest of several members of his staff ahead of President William Ruto’s visit to the county on Sunday, terming the police action unconstitutional and demanding their immediate release.

Orengo said the arrests were carried out in Siaya and Nairobi on Saturday evening and linked them to preparations for the President’s planned tour. He criticised the police action, saying it undermines democratic principles.

“This egregious conduct on the part of the police has no place in a constitutional democracy. I demand their immediate release,” Orengo added.

President William Ruto is expected in Siaya on Sunday to attend a thanksgiving ceremony for Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga at Okela Primary School in Uyoma.

The arrests come amid rising tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where Orengo has emerged as a vocal critic of a perceived political rapprochement between the party and Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Orengo is aligned to the Linda Mwananchi faction linked to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, which has opposed closer cooperation with the ruling coalition.

The faction has also rejected a Special Delegates Convention called by ODM Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo scheduled for March 27 in Nairobi, saying it was not convened in line with the party constitution.