“I left the 2022 gubernatorial seat for you because Baba asked” – Wandayi hits back at Orengo

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has dismissed claims by Siaya Governor James Orengo that Orengo “rescued” him from prison and engineered his rise to parliament, calling the assertions inappropriate amid local political debates.

Speaking at a rally in Ugunja, Wandayi said the contest in Siaya should not be settled by personal scorekeeping.

“This is not the time to boast about who got who out of prison or who made who a lawmaker. This is about the destiny of our people,” he told supporters.

The exchange follows Wandayi’s appointment to President William Ruto’s Cabinet and reflects growing tensions in county politics.

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Wandayi said he stepped aside in the 2022 gubernatorial race at the request of Raila Odinga to clear the way for Orengo. He challenged any leaders seeking to return to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to participate in open nominations rather than expect automatic endorsement.

“I left that seat for him in 2022 because Baba asked me to,” Wandayi said. “If we had gone to the ODM nominations, would he have survived the dust? If you want to come back inside ODM because things are rough out there, come back with humility and prepare to face a democratic duel at the ballot.”

Wandayi also defended his working relationship with President Ruto, invoking events from the 2007 presidential contest.

He said Ruto had shown respect to the region and argued that the president’s record justified support for a second term.

“He is the first sitting president to treat us like real, frontline citizens, and that is why we will back him for a second term based on his track record,” Wandayi said.

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