Orengo Changes Tune About Ruto's Broad-based Gov't After Criticising It: "Opportunity To Unite"

• James Orengo was previously opposed to the government of national unity idea touted by President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga
• The Siaya county boss rallied behind the restive Kenyan youth who were demanding an overhaul of the country's political governance
• But in an apparent change of tune, Orengo lauded Ruto for incorporating part of the opposition into the National Executive, saying it would help cure the political unrest in the country

Siaya governor James Orengo has sparked a debate online after seeming to support the idea of the broad-based government he vehemently opposed a few weeks back.

On Saturday, August 24, the governor accompanied President William Ruto to Nandi on a working tour before attending the thanksgiving ceremony of Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya in Kakamega.

How Orengo made u-turn to be pro-Ruto

In Nandi, Orengo lauded Ruto for choosing to incorporate some opposition figures into the National Executive, a move he said averted a looming political crisis.

He hid behind Ruto's resolve to support Raila Odinga in the latter's African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid to display his allegiance to the president.

"I want to thank the president for his commitment to help Raila Odinga to go to Addis Ababa. We know he (Raila) will succeed...Also, our country is one nation. We can have challenges but we ought to unite always," he said.

Orengo is on record criticising the plans for dialogue between Ruto and Raila.

When Orengo was against Ruto, Raila dialogue

In July, the governor insisted that justice must be served for Kenyans killed and injured during the anti-government protests before any political interventions would be employed.

He urged the political class to put aside their interests and ensure the victims of police brutality get justice.

According to Orengo at the time, it would be ill-advised for the two leading political outfits to work together, stating that Ruto's administration was collapsing.

He argued that working with Ruto would be an abomination and insisted that the whole government must be sent home.

Orengo was also opposed to the ODM honchos taking up the Cabinet slots, saying it connoted betrayal to Kenyans.