Governors James Orengo (Siaya) and Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) were conspicuously absent from the burial of the late Kasipul Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Were on Friday, May 9, fueling speculation about their relationship with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who attended the event.
Their absence was confirmed by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who conveyed their apologies to mourners.
The timing of their no-show comes amid swirling rumours of a growing rift with Raila, particularly over recent political developments. Both Orengo and Nyong’o have publicly criticised Raila’s decision to forge closer ties with President William Ruto.
Orengo, in particular, has voiced concern over the new political alliance, arguing that it has weakened the opposition's ability to hold Ruto’s administration accountable.
While seen as a staunch ally of Raila for decades, Orengo has been a vocal critic of the agreement between Ruto and Raila. He referred to the partnership as an "abomination" and warned that it could associate the opposition with the failures of Ruto's administration.
"I cannot be a praise-singer. We fought for a democratic constitution where people should speak freely. I urge Kenyans to tell their leaders the truth. This country will go to the dogs again if the kind of language we hear continues," Orengo asserted in a past function.
On the other hand, Nyong’o recently publicly hit out at Ruto, accusing him of undermining devolution.
In a hard-hitting letter released on Tuesday, April 22, Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong’o reignited tensions between the county and national governments over the management of the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), which President William Ruto has insisted should be brought under national control.
Nyong’o accused the President of attempting a blatant power grab, likening his actions to the authoritarian tendencies of Kenya's past political era.
While Raila Odinga backed Nyong’o’s position on the RMLF issue, the ODM leader differed with the governor on the government's plan to lease sugar companies to private investors.
The Kenya Kwanza administration is pursuing a strategy to lease four state-owned sugar companies — Nzoia, Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Sony Sugar — with the goal of reviving the struggling sector and improving livelihoods for workers and farmers.
However, the proposal has sparked heated debate, particularly in Western Kenya. On Wednesday, May 9, Governor Nyong’o described the plan as an "economic coup" against farmers and local communities, criticising the lack of consultation with key stakeholders.
Raila, on the other hand, has thrown his weight behind the leasing plan. In a recent meeting with Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, the opposition leader supported the government's efforts to revitalise the sugar sector through strategic partnerships.
“Discussions also centred around the strategic leasing of sugar mills—an effort aimed at revitalising the sugar industry and ensuring long-term sustainability for farmers and other stakeholders,” ODM Communication Strategist Philip Etale said in a statement. “Raila expressed keen interest and support for these reforms, recognising their potential to spur rural economic growth and food security.”
The actions of Orengo and Nyong’o seemingly resulted in a disconnect within Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement party with senior party officials at odds over which side to choose.
Members of Ruto’s movement on their end accused the two influential politicians of undermining the broad-based government that was formalised after Ruto and Raila signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
