Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has criticized Siaya Governor James Orengo, accusing him of misleading the Luo community on the region’s political direction.
Speaking during a fundraiser at Ngunya Catholic Church in Ugunja constituency, Wandayi said it makes no sense to tell residents that being in government is undesirable after years of campaigning for access to state power.
“Let us ask him to leave the citizens of this place alone. These citizens know where they are going. If he says that being inside the government is bad, then what is good? And all these years we have been fighting so that we can get into government. How can you say that being in government is bad and yet all these years we have been fighting to be in government? What logic is that?” Wandayi said.
He urged Orengo to allow residents to make their own political choices, adding that the community understands its options and can decide where it wants to go politically.
Wandayi said Luo Nyanza leaders, including MPs, cabinet secretaries, governors, and principal secretaries, are currently working within government to advance the region’s development agenda.
“We are working together with all the leaders of this region. We are working together in unity. Therefore, I have no worries. We have decided that our candidate for the presidential seat next year is President William Samoei Ruto,” he said.
The energy CS then challenged Orengo to name an alternative presidential candidate.
“If you have your candidate, Mr. Governor, come forward and tell us who it is. Or if it is you who wants to run, come forward and say it today, and then we can compete against each other,” he said.
Wandayi added that he would spearhead a campaign across the Nyanza region to mobilize support for Ruto in the next election.
