Siaya County Governor James Orengo delivered a powerful address during a fundraiser at Power of Jesus Around the World Church in Kachok, Kisumu, on Sunday, December 15, touching on Raila Odinga’s strong performance in the African Union Chairmanship debate, devolution challenges, and the state of Kenyan politics.
Orengo hailed Raila Odinga’s performance at the Addis Ababa AU debate as a victory for Pan-Africanism, highlighting his vision and solutions for Africa’s challenges.
“Raila Amollo Odinga performed exceedingly well, offering practical solutions to the continent’s problems. If the debate had been decided by a popular vote across Africa, Raila would have emerged the clear winner,” Orengo stated.
He compared Raila to African greats like Nelson Mandela and Julius Nyerere, crediting him with carrying their Pan-Africanist torch.
Devolution in Crisis
Orengo also raised concerns over dwindling resources for counties ahead of a scheduled governors’ summit with the president. He criticized the shrinking share of county budgets in comparison to the national budget, now nearing KSh 4 trillion.
“There is a crisis of confidence regarding the government’s commitment to protecting devolution. Counties are being starved of resources, turning devolution into a failed experiment,” he warned.
Orengo emphasized the need for sustained funding in infrastructure, road maintenance, and other critical sectors, drawing parallels to the collapse of regional governance at independence due to resource starvation.
Ethnic Politics Under Fire
The governor took a hard stance against tribal and regional politics, lamenting their dominance over issue-based politics. “In the days of Tom Mboya and Jaramogi, political discourse focused on national issues, not tribal divisions. Today, we’re regressing, and this is harmful to our fragile democracy,” he noted, calling for a return to politics driven by national unity and shared prosperity.
Caution on Church-State Relations
Addressing the role of religion in politics, Orengo condemned the misuse of churches for political gain.
“The constitution mandates a secular state, yet some seek to exploit the church as a political vehicle. While attending church is not wrong, manipulating it for political purposes is unacceptable,” he said.
Orengo urged leaders to respect the moral authority of religious institutions, citing past clergy like Bishop Alexander Muge and Archbishop Henry Okullu for their principled leadership.
Successful Fundraiser
The fundraiser, led by Bishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede, aimed to raise funds for purchasing church equipment. Kisumu Central MP Dr. Joshua Odongo Oron, alongside Siaya and Kisumu County officials, joined congregants in supporting the cause.
Bishop Ogonyo expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, calling it a testament to the community’s faith and unity. The event not only strengthened the church’s mission but also highlighted pressing national issues through Orengo’s impassioned speech.
