Kenya's Siaya Governor James Orengo faces criticism over lavish donations and political rivalries

On the 36th anniversary of Kenya's Saba Saba movement, Siaya Governor James Orengo condemned the practice of senior officials making multimillion‑shilling donations at weekend harambees. He called for lifestyle audits, full disclosure of donation sources and said, “the era of unexplained multimillion‑shilling donations must come to an end.”

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi later rebuked Orengo's claim that the governor had helped him out of prison, calling the remark a bid for political sympathy. Wandayi said he had dropped his own 2022 governorship bid at the urging of Raila Odinga, urged Siaya residents to demand accountability, and encouraged support for President William Ruto.