Siaya's Orange Democratic Movement politicians challenged compatriots opposed to the party leader, Raila Odinga, to quit and form their own party, stating that there was no vacuum in the region’s political leadership. 

Governor James Orengo, flanked by Ugunja MP, Opiyo Wandayi, declared that the petty attacks on the ODM leadership must halt, and those seeking favour from the government must do so with respect.

Orengo and Wandayi were speaking at Pap Boro village in Usonga during the funeral of the late Rosa Athieno Amoth on Saturday, November 17. The deceased was the mother of the acting director general of Health, Patrick Amoth.  

"We want to assure you that any such rebellion will be crushed convincingly. If you feel you have the capacity to challenge ODM, please go ahead and form your own party," Wandayi declared on Saturday, December 17.

ODM leader Raila Odinga and Siaya governor James Orengo during burial of Barack Otieno Oduor on October 28, 2022  TWITTER  JAMES ORENGO

Orengo equally reiterated that Odinga was not only Nyanza's political kingpin but also of the Western region. 

“We shall not accept a few people to undermine Raila Odinga, leaders from both the national and county governments must respect him," he remarked.

Wandayi, the leader of the minority in the National Assembly, also urged the government to confirm Amoth as the director general of health, alluding that he deserved the confirmation, owing to the experience he has accrued over the years.

Raila's wife, Mama Ida Odinga, also called out a section of Azimio La Umoja politicians, lamenting that they were hypocritical about their loyalty and support for his husband. 

Ida accused some of them of using the former Premier to fuel their political ambitions only to dump Raila after Ruto won the race.  

A section of ODM legislators in Luo-Nyanza have been pushing for Raila Odinga’s retirement from active politics.

Led by former chairman of Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) Odoyo Owidi, the politicians openly asked Raila to retire from politics after he lost to President William Ruto in the 2022 presidential election. 

On October 2, some of the 'rebel' politicians joined President Ruto at a prayer service in Homa Bay Africa Inland Church, where they pledged to work with Ruto and develop the region.

Ruto has been making inroads in the region, trying to court residents, with ICT CS, Eliud Owalo, as his main emissary. Owalo, Ruto's point man during campaigns in the Nyanza region, stated that the election was over, and the community needed to move on and chart their destiny.

ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo with Siaya County Commissioner Jim Njoka flag off a lorry carrying relief food to Siaya County on Sunday, December 4, 2022  FACEBOOK  ELIUD OWALO