In Siaya County, Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Samuel Atandi has publicly appealed to the members of the Siaya County Assembly to halt their efforts to impeach Governor James Orengo. Atandi’s stance is based on the belief that the voters should have the opportunity to determine Orengo’s political future in the upcoming general elections, rather than through impeachment proceedings. He emphasized that such a move would be unnecessary and politically counterproductive, considering that the next elections are less than a year away.
During a press briefing at his South East Alego rural home in Siaya, Atandi said “If there is anybody in Siaya planning to impeach Orengo, I want to persuade him not to do it.”His comments reflect the growing political tension in the county, where some leaders are advocating for accountability measures against the governor, while others argue that the focus should remain on service delivery and the upcoming elections.
Atandi also revealed that preparations for succession politics were underway, and he mentioned a preferred candidate who would succeed Governor Orengo after the next polls. He emphasized that this candidate would work closely with the people of Siaya, ensuring that the county progresses. The legislator, who chairs the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee, also accused Governor Orengo of using the “Linda Mwananchi “initiative to deflect criticism over alleged poor governance.
Atandi cited concerns over financial mismanagement in the county government, including reports of utility disruptions due to unpaid electricity bills in the governor’s office. He also alleged a recruitment scandal in the health sector, where hundreds of young people were reportedly misled in a fake employment scheme. Despite these allegations, a group of youths from Siaya stood in defense of Governor Orengo, praising his leadership and democratic credentials. They dismissed calls for his impeachment and even proposed that Orengo should consider running for both the ODM party leadership and the presidency in the 2027 general election.
The youth group, led by Kenneth Otieno, Fidel Omondi Oyuka, and Babu Victor, is actively mobilizing voter registration efforts to ensure their participation in the next elections. They aim to use the elections to “install “leaders of their choice. As political divisions deepen in Siaya County, the focus now shifts to whether the impeachment efforts will gain momentum or be overshadowed by early campaigns for the 2027 general election.
Source: allafrica
