Siaya Senator James Orengo ( Photo Courtesy)
He was thrust into the political limelight as a 29-year old in 1980 when he successfully contested the Ugenya MP seat in a by-election. Since then, he has never left the stage.
For the last four decades, Siaya Senator James Orengo has played a leading role in every chapter of the modern Kenya. From the corridors of power to the corridors of justice, the evergreen politician and lawyer is ready to remain active to old age.
Arrested just a few months to the 1982 coup, Orengo remained defiant. Even after being forced to flee the country and briefly settle in Tanzania, inside his chest beat the heart of a rebel!
Former President Daniel Arap Moi and cabinet minister Nicholas Biwott ( Photo Courtesy)
After a decade in the political cold, Orengo returned to Parliament in 1992 on a Ford Kenya party ticket.
With the trust of his mentor and political godfather, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Orengo was seen as his political heir apparent in Luo Nyanza. It was not to be as Jaramogi's son, Raila Odinga seized the opportunity.
In 1994, during the funeral of Jaramogi, Orengo who was the master of ceremony got the right opportunity to hammer President Daniel Arap Moi. Literally, it was revenge time of some sorts.
When the moment to strike came, Orengo did not waste even one second. He told Moi to his face that he was a hypocrite who tortured Jaramogi only to shed crocodile tears when he died!
Perhaps, that was the perfect time that the then Ugenya MP got to vent out his anger after years of fighting the KANU regime.
Moi's lieutenants were angered. A few days later, while speaking in Kericho, the President declared that he would never enter into any political cooperation with Ford Kenya after his public humiliation. According to "Nyayo", he had been disrespected.
Almost 30 years later, Orengo is still in the game. This time round, the 71-year old is in the race for Siaya County Governor seat.
https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/james-orengo-the-making-of-a-firebrand-opposition-politician-478276
Content created and supplied by: LarryKatana (via Opera News )
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