The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has dismissed as fake a letter circulating on social media purporting that Siaya Governor James Orengo has resigned from office. The letter, which has been widely shared, cites personal health challenges as the reason for the alleged resignation.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the ODM party stated: “We can authoritatively state the letter below is FAKE. Ignore it and FOCUS.” The party further urged the public not to fall for misinformation and to await official communication from trusted sources.
The fraudulent letter, addressed to the Speaker of the Siaya County Assembly and copied to the Deputy Governor, the Council of Governors, and ODM leader Raila Odinga, claims that Governor Orengo made the decision after extensive consultation with his family and doctors. “It is with a heavy heart and after profound reflection that I hereby tender my resignation from the office of the Governor of Siaya County, effective immediately,” reads part of the fake document.
The letter goes on to suggest that Orengo’s health condition has made it impossible for him to effectively discharge his duties. However, fact-checking by The Star has confirmed that the letter did not originate from any of Governor Orengo’s official communication channels.
Despite the letter’s content and format appearing convincing to some, ODM’s swift intervention has debunked the claims, reinforcing the importance of verifying information before accepting or sharing it.
The incident comes amid growing public speculation regarding Governor Orengo’s whereabouts and health, as he has been notably absent from the public eye in recent weeks. This absence has fueled anxiety among constituents, some of whom have called on the county leadership to clarify the governor’s status.
As concerns mount, the ODM party has remained firm in its dismissal of the resignation claims. There has been no official statement from Governor Orengo himself regarding his health or public absence.
The episode underscores the rising challenge of misinformation in Kenya’s political landscape and the urgent need for citizens to rely on verified sources.
