A highly anticipated meeting between Siaya County leaders and President William Ruto, which was scheduled for May 14, 2025, at State House Nairobi, has been postponed indefinitely, sparking speculation over internal political wrangles.
Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda confirmed the postponement, stating that leaders were informed of the decision on Tuesday, May 13. The meeting was intended to focus on development priorities for Siaya, with local leaders expected to present a coordinated agenda to the President.
“What we were doing on Sunday was to firm up some of the projects we wanted the national government to prioritise,” Ochanda said. “We wanted to be clear on what to present to the President, but we have just been told it has been postponed.”
The cancellation appears to stem from simmering tensions within the county’s political leadership, particularly surrounding the role of Governor James Orengo. Sources suggest the postponement may have been linked to allegations that Orengo was being sidelined from the talks, a move seen as controversial given his influential position in Siaya.
Governor Orengo, a steadfast critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration, has maintained a confrontational stance against the ruling coalition, calling for accountability and adherence to the rule of law. Despite reports of exclusion, Bondo MP Ochanda insisted the governor was not intentionally left out of the Sunday preparatory meeting, noting that he was out of the country at the time.
In a sign of the growing divide, Orengo recently penned a letter to President Ruto, requesting a separate meeting to discuss key development issues. “We are confident that this engagement will mark a significant step forward in the spirit of national unity, inclusivity, and service delivery,” the letter stated.
The tensions also come in the wake of visible efforts by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to defend Orengo, amid claims that some local leaders are attempting to sideline him.
As the political dynamics in Siaya evolve, it remains unclear when or if the rescheduled meeting with the President will take place.
