Orengo Makes a U-Turn, Praises Ruto As a Honest Leader Who Delivers

Orengo’s Political About-Face: From Ruto Critic to Praise Singer

In a remarkable political transformation that has caught many by surprise, Siaya Governor James Orengo has executed a complete reversal of his stance toward President William Ruto, now describing him as “an honest leader who fulfills the promises he makes.”

The dramatic shift became evident during a groundbreaking ceremony in Siaya County, where Orengo hosted Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya for the launch of two major infrastructure projects.

The governor, once among President Ruto’s most vocal critics, stood before the crowd and delivered what many are calling a political mea culpa.

“President Ruto is not a hypocrite. One of the characteristics of a hypocrite is that they don’t fulfill their promises. We can all see today what is taking place,” Orengo declared, his words marking a stark departure from his previous adversarial position.

The transformation appears to have been catalyzed by tangible development coming to Siaya County. President Ruto had promised to upgrade the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium from its current 5,500-seat capacity to a modern 20,000-seat facility meeting FIFA standards, at a cost of Sh550 million.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of this project, along with plans for a new County Referral Health Complex, served as the backdrop for Orengo’s public praise.

The political metamorphosis is particularly striking given Orengo’s history of fierce opposition to Ruto.

Just months ago, before leading a county delegation to State House in June, the governor had maintained that “development projects require no kneeling down,” suggesting a defiant stance against what critics saw as political genuflection for development resources.

However, the promise of concrete development appears to have softened Orengo’s position. The stadium project, once completed, will feature additional terraces, roofing, and improved surrounding infrastructure. According to the governor, it will be “the best outside Nairobi in terms of design and planning.”

Beyond the stadium, the county is set to benefit from a major expansion of the Siaya County Referral Hospital, which will add 500 beds to its capacity and establish the facility as a regional healthcare hub.

Defence CS Tuya emphasized that the Kenya Defence Forces, who will oversee both projects, have been directed to prioritize local labor, ensuring that job opportunities remain within the county.

The political implications of Orengo’s transformation extend beyond Siaya County.

As a prominent opposition figure who has now publicly endorsed Ruto’s leadership style, his change of heart could signal a broader shift in political alignments.

It also raises questions about the effectiveness of development-focused politics in Kenya, where tangible projects appear capable of converting even the staunchest critics.

For President Ruto, Orengo’s endorsement represents a significant political victory.

Having one of his former fiercest critics publicly acknowledge his promise-keeping abilities provides valuable ammunition against opposition claims of unfulfilled campaign pledges.

The governor’s transformation from critic to cheerleader illustrates the complex dynamics of Kenyan politics, where development promises and their fulfillment can rapidly reshape political loyalties.

Whether this represents genuine conversion or pragmatic politics remains to be seen, but the immediate beneficiaries are the residents of Siaya County, who stand to gain from improved sports and healthcare infrastructure.

As construction work begins on these projects, Orengo’s political journey from opposition to praise will be watched closely by observers seeking to understand the evolving landscape of Kenyan politics, where development delivery appears increasingly capable of transcending traditional party lines.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​