Siaya governor James Orengo has dismissed reports claiming that he was chased away from a funeral in Kisumu, maintaining that he left the event willingly after the burial programme had already moved to the family home.
The governor was among several political leaders from the Nyanza region who attended the funeral service of Mzee Eliud Nyikal Okaka at Ridore Primary School grounds on Saturday, May 2. The late Okaka was the father of Seme MP James Nyikal.
Trouble reportedly started shortly after Orengo arrived at the venue. His supporters allegedly clashed with a group of suspected goons believed to be aligned with politicians supporting the ODM faction backing the broad-based government arrangement.
The confrontation caused tension and confusion at the funeral, forcing security teams and organisers to intervene.
Following the incident, reports quickly spread on social media and some media outlets claiming that the Siaya governor had been ejected from the ceremony due to the chaos.
However, Orengo has strongly denied those claims, saying the reports were misleading and inaccurate.
According to the governor, he only left after the church leaders and the bereaved family had already proceeded to the burial site for the final rites.
He explained that there was no reason for him to remain at the school grounds after the main funeral programme had ended.
“Contrary to the misreporting by Citizen TV, we did not leave because we had been chased away. We departed after the presiding bishop and Seme MP James Nyikal had already left for the burial ceremony at home,” Orengo stated.
The county boss further clarified that he also had other urgent commitments that required him to travel back to Nairobi immediately.
He said he was preparing for the upcoming East Africa Local Authorities Sports and Cultural Association (EALASCA) Festival that is scheduled to begin in Mombasa on Monday, May 4.
Orengo noted that Siaya County will participate in the regional event and that he will attend in his role as the patron of KICOSCA. He added that his schedule made it necessary for him to leave Kisumu early and head to the airport.
The governor also accused his political opponents of deliberately sending groups of disruptive youths to interfere with the funeral gathering.
Despite the hostility he encountered, he insisted that he remains firm in his political beliefs and will continue speaking out against the current administration ahead of the next General Election.
He said the main reason for attending the funeral was to mourn with the family of the late Mzee Okaka and show solidarity during their difficult time. According to Orengo, the disruption did not weaken his political resolve.
“Our purpose was simply to condole with the family and stand with them during the burial. Despite the attempts to intimidate us, we left peacefully and safely travelled to the airport before returning to Nairobi,” he explained.
Orengo also praised Kisumu residents for what he described as their warm hospitality during his visit. He said he interacted with locals at the airport before boarding his flight and described the people of Kisumu as welcoming and united.
Meanwhile, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga condemned the hostility directed at Orengo during the funeral. Ruth expressed concern over what she described as growing political intolerance within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
She warned that the increasing use of political gangs and intimidation tactics could divide both ODM and the larger Luo community. According to her, leaders should allow differing opinions instead of using violence and threats to silence critics.
Ruth further cautioned that such incidents risk damaging the political legacy built over many years by ODM leader Raila Odinga. She urged leaders in the region to embrace unity, tolerance, and respectful political engagement even when disagreements arise.
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