ODM party leader Oburu Oginga speaking during a fundraising drive organised by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers in Siaya County. Faith Matete
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi speaking in Siaya county. Faith Matete
ODM leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has publicly invited Ugenya MP David Ochieng back to the Orange party, promising him full backing for the Siaya governor's seat if he formally rejoins.
Speaking during a fundraising drive organised by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Siaya County, Oburu extended the political olive branch in remarks that could reshape the county's 2027 succession politics.
"Ochieng, come back to ODM, and we will welcome you with our two hands, and you will be governor of Siaya," Oburu declared.
The event also turned into a platform for leaders allied to the broad-based government arrangement to rally support for President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 general election.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi lauded Nyanza residents for staying away from the June 25 demonstrations, saying the region had spent decades fighting for political rights and should now concentrate on development.
"We have demonstrated for so long from this region. Our late party leader Raila showed us the political road and the road to development," Wandayi said.
The CS said several national government projects are underway in Siaya, citing Sh2.2 billion allocated in the current budget to connect more than 25,000 households to electricity.
He urged residents to support President Ruto's re-election, arguing that backing the broad-based arrangement would position the region to produce a presidential candidate after Ruto completes his second term.
Wandayi also warned that politicians seeking elective seats while opposing the broad-based alliance risk rejection by voters.
"Anybody who wants to vie for any position, from MCA to governor, and is not in the movement headed by President Ruto and Oburu will go home," he said.
Ochieng, who is widely expected to contest the Siaya governorship in 2027, outlined an economic agenda focused on tourism, investment and job creation.
He said Siaya's vast potential remains underutilised and called for greater investment, particularly in the Usenge area, through tourism infrastructure and high-end hospitality facilities to attract visitors and investors.
"We must find a way of ensuring Siaya is visited. We need to develop tourism, build investments and create jobs for our people so that they can be proud of what we have," he said.
The MP also dismissed opposition efforts to unseat President Ruto in 2027, arguing that the Luo community stood to gain more by remaining within government than returning to the opposition.
"The opposition leaders have already formed their own government and shared positions among themselves. Why does the community leave the government now and go to line up at the back of that queue?" Ochieng posed.
He further criticised leaders urging the region to abandon the broad-based arrangement, insisting the community should not rally behind politicians who had previously spoken against it.
Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo also criticised Siaya Governor James Orengo for taking part in the June 25 Gen Z anniversary demonstrations in Nairobi, saying governors should focus on serving the counties that elected them.
"I was surprised on the day of the demonstrations to see a governor from Siaya in the streets of Nairobi. He was elected to serve the people of Siaya," Odhiambo said.
The legislator maintained that the Luo community remained united under Oburu's leadership and pledged continued support for the broad-based government, saying development and unity would shape voters' choices in the next election.
