Raila Defends Orengo, Nyong’o in Face of Devolution Backlash
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has come to the defence of Siaya Governor James Orengo and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, urging political leaders to refrain from criticising them over their recent remarks regarding the broad-based government.
Raila made it clear that both governors had done nothing wrong and were merely exercising their democratic right to comment on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ODM and UDA.
“I don’t see the reason why people are bickering,” Raila said. “When Mr. James Orengo talks, he’s speaking on the basis of the MoU between ODM and UDA. He has not committed any crime—he’s got a democratic right to say what he wants. When Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o speaks about devolution, he’s speaking the language of ODM.”
The former Prime Minister emphasized that such discussions are healthy in a democracy and should not be misconstrued as acts of rebellion or sabotage.
Governors Orengo and Nyong’o have recently come under fire from critics who accused them of undermining the current administration.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei is among those who strongly opposed their remarks. He alleged that the comments amounted to political blackmail and an attempt to derail President Ruto’s efforts to foster national unity.
Orengo had openly criticised the evolving relationship between ODM and UDA, labelling the growing collaboration an “abomination.” He warned that the partnership could damage the reputation of the opposition by tying it to the failures of the current government.
Similarly, Nyong’o was criticised for his comments on the state of devolution in Kenya. He accused the national government of neglecting county-level governance and failing to uphold the principles of decentralisation.
“The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERA) need not exist if the national government is prepared to fully implement devolution,” Nyong’o argued.
Raila echoed Nyong’o’s concerns, expressing his disappointment with how devolution has been handled despite being a key element in the MoU.
“Devolution has not been implemented the way it should,” Raila stated. “That’s why people are not reaping its benefits. We have devolved responsibilities, but we have not devolved the funds to give counties the financial powers to implement those functions.”
He placed the blame squarely on the national government, accusing it of crippling county operations by withholding the funds needed to deliver essential services.
According to Raila, the failure to fund counties adequately not only undermines devolution but also stalls development and economic progress in the regions.
The ODM leader called on the Kenya Kwanza government to take immediate steps to streamline the implementation of devolution.
He stressed that supporting county governments with the necessary resources would improve service delivery, reduce inequality, and strengthen grassroots democracy.
Raila also reminded critics that the MoU was designed to foster inclusivity and national dialogue, not silence dissent or weaken opposition voices.
He urged leaders from both parties to uphold mutual respect and allow room for open, constructive discourse without resorting to personal attacks or intimidation.
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Raila Defends Orengo, Nyong’o in Face of Devolution Backlash
