Siaya Governor James Orengo has warned four Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders who were nominated in President William Ruto’s Cabinet of dire consequences if they joined the government without a proper agreement in place. 

On July 24, 2024, President Ruto announced the second batch of Cabinet nominees, selecting four ODM leaders in the process; Nominated MP John Mbadi (Treasury), Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy) and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs). 

Speaking at a function in Nyanza on Friday, Orengo cautioned the four opposition-allied leaders that they would be under the mercy of the Kenya Kwanza government should they join the Cabinet. 

He explained that such an arrangement would work effectively if a proper arrangement would be drafted between the government and the opposition, outlining the rules of engagement. 

Referencing the grand coalition government between former President Mwai Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga whereby no decision could be made without all parties being consulted, he noted that the four members should be ready to deal with any decision that the president desires. 

“If tomorrow, Ruto decides to fire people, (what will you do?) It's like you enter into a marriage without a certificate, null and void. It will be the greatest stupidity,” he said. 

The governor noted that political leaders should not take advantage of the Gen Z protests to assume government positions for their personal benefit but instead fight with the people. He sympathised with the families who had lost their loved ones during the anti-government protests. 

“As much as we want things done our way we must remember in this sub-location we buried a demonstrator who was shot. There's another kid who we buried who was shot in the leg. We have buried more than 20 people but these leaders are not seen in the burials,” Orengo remarked. 

“We shouldn't sit down with people who only think of how they will benefit themselves.”

Orengo has been in the trenches with the opposition and is considered to be one of Raila Odinga’s long-time friends. He has, however, criticised the perceived plan for the opposition to be in cahoots with the government. 

“I have my stand as Orengo, even if you abuse me I stand by what I say which is the truth which will stay forever. I stand with the Gen Zs. If you don't follow the right path you'll just be like KANU where the country became a one-party State. We have to be very careful,” he said.

Raila has, however, maintained that the opposition has not entered into any agreement with the government as no formal coalition terms have been in place. 

"As articulated in our statement on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, neither the ODM party nor Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party has entered into any coalition agreement with President Ruto's UDA party. We had anticipated the crafting of clear terms of engagement based on issues we raised in our various communiques," said Raila in a statement on July 25, 2024.

Cracks have developed in the opposition in the past weeks following ODM’s inclination to hold talks with the government, causing other Azimio principals to condemn the perceived alliance.

Recently, NARC Kenya issued a notice to exit from the opposition, terming their stay in Azimio as no longer tenable.