ORENGO CLAIMS RAILA WAS KILLED, REJECTS SIFUNA'S OUSTER

Siaya Governor James Orengo has questioned the circumstances surrounding the death of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, saying many Kenyans are yet to receive satisfactory answers and that those responsible “are out there, and they are silent about it,” even as he dismissed the removal of Edwin Sifuna as ODM Secretary General as unjustified.

Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, Orengo described Raila’s passing as a mystery that continues to weigh heavily on supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the wider public.

“I want to say without fear of contradiction, the death of Raila Odinga, which is still a mystery to a lot of us, those who bear responsibility for the death of Raila, are out there, and they are silent about it,” Orengo said.

He insisted that establishing the truth behind Raila’s death must remain a long-term objective for those who believe in justice and accountability.
“I hope that one day we will determine the circumstances in which Raila passed away. And that must be an objective that we must achieve,” he stated.

Orengo drew parallels with remarks he made years ago during the funeral of Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga — Raila’s father. He recalled openly questioning the circumstances of Jaramogi’s death at the time.
“I said at the funeral of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga that they killed Jaramogi. I said it in the presence of President Daniel Arap Moi,” Orengo recalled.

Even then, he said, he affirmed that Jaramogi’s ideals would endure beyond his lifetime. On Thursday, he repeated that sentiment in reference to Raila.
“In saying that they killed Jaramogi, I also said that the spirit of Jaramogi would live on. Today I can say the spirit of Raila lives on,” he said.

Orengo addressed the press alongside ousted ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. Also present were ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino,

His remarks came a day after the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) met in Mombasa and resolved to remove Sifuna from his position as Secretary General. The decision has since deepened divisions within the party.

Sifuna, who is also the Nairobi Senator, rejected the move, terming it illegal and procedurally flawed.
“I was not given a chance to defend myself,” he said, arguing that the NEC’s action violated party processes.
He maintained that he remains the duly elected Secretary General and vowed to continue serving the party.
“Whatever actions I take, I will do so knowing that I have never let down my leader, Raila. We shall fight for ODM; surrender is not an option for us. I remain a loyal member and the duly elected Secretary General of ODM,” he said.

Orengo strongly defended Sifuna, pointing to his years of service and loyalty to Raila Odinga.
“The Secretary General of Raila's party, ODM, is one Edwin Sifuna and Senator. Sifuna has served the party for nearly 10 years, and he has been with Raila Odinga at very critical and crucial moments,” he said.

He added that throughout Raila’s leadership, Sifuna was never publicly rebuked.
“During the entire life of Raila Odinga, and during the period in which Edwin Sifuna was the Secretary General, there is no single moment that Raila Odinga rebuked or criticised Edwin Sifuna in public,” Orengo said, dismissing claims from individuals he described as having “no legitimacy in the entire country.”

Beyond the internal dispute, Orengo accused President William Ruto of interfering in ODM’s affairs and destabilising the party.
“The problem in ODM is President Ruto. We are asking President Ruto to let ODM go. Let ODM alone. He has not taken it hostage. He is in possession of the party called ODM,” Orengo said.

He cited several meetings convened by the President involving ODM leaders, including those held at State House and other venues, as evidence of what he termed undue influence.

Orengo said he had previously warned Ruto against interfering with political parties.
“I told him (Ruto), and if you watch the speeches I've made, I have implored him not to kill political parties, because I could see this coming, that problem in ODM,” he recalled.

Reaffirming ODM’s identity, Orengo described the party as a people-driven movement shaped by Raila Odinga.
“Raila Amolo Odinga fashioned a political party which was a people's movement. ODM is a people's movement. Is a movement of the people, for the people, by the people,” he said.

He urged party leaders to reconnect with citizens and remain committed to the party’s founding ideals.
“As we move forward, we are not a party of the status quo. We are a party for change. We are a progressive party and not a reactionary party,” he said.

As questions over Raila’s death linger and divisions within ODM widen, Orengo’s remarks signal that the party’s internal struggles are now intertwined with deeper concerns about leadership, legacy and political independence.