Siaya Governor James Orengo has finally appeared in public after being missing for many weeks. His absence had worried many people and raised questions across the country.
Orengo showed up on Friday, August 8, during the funeral of former MP Phoebe Asiyo in Wikondiek, Homa Bay County. He arrived late but was warmly welcomed. Governor Gladys Wanga introduced him to the crowd. Orengo then walked up to the front, greeted President William Ruto and ODM party leader Raila Odinga, and stood to speak.
He looked strong and confident.
“I am alive. I am a stone. There is nowhere I am going,” Orengo told the crowd.
Those few words brought a lot of relief. They also ended the rumors that he was sick or had quit politics.
For weeks, people had been wondering where the governor had gone. He had not attended important events in Siaya. Some people thought he had health problems. Others believed he had stepped down from his role or left the ODM party quietly.
Then came a letter that made things worse.
The letter, dated August 4, said Orengo had resigned from ODM. It claimed he had health issues and had talked with his family and doctors before making the decision. For a short time, people believed it.
But ODM quickly said the letter was fake.
“We can authoritatively state that the letter below is fake. Ignore it and focus,” the party posted. Still, many people kept asking where Orengo was and why he was not speaking.
County Secretary Joseph Ogutu tried to calm the public. He said the governor was away on a private mission. He explained that it was part of Orengo’s work as governor. But when reporters asked for more details, Ogutu said he could not give them. He also refused to say when the governor would return.
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