AfriPulse
Siaya governor James Orengo has broken his silence after storming out of the burial of the father to Seme MP James Nyikal.
The governor released a statement on the evening of Saturday, April 2 where he accused the state of orchestrating chaos in what was supposed to be a solemn occasion to celebrate a deceased.
The funeral, which was held in Seme, Kisumu County, was marked with chaos and tension as rival factions reportedly clashed, with Orengo at the centre of the drama.
While describing the chaos as “deeply troubling”, Orengo claimed the tensions escalated to the point that the service had to cut the event short.
Siaya Governor James Orengo during the burial of the father to Seme MP James Nyikal on Saturday, May 2 2026.
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James Orengo
“It is both shameful and a national disgrace that a solemn send-off could be disrupted… The situation became so tense that the clergy had to cut the service short, calling for an immediate burial without speeches to preserve order and dignity,” Orengo stated.
While apologising to mourners at the service, the governor, who has been at the heart of the Linda Mwananchi movement, reiterated that his camp would not be deterred by any form of intimidation.
“But let it be clearly understood; no amount of intimidation, no teargas, no hired chaos, and no acts of desperation will silence the Linda Mwananchi Movement,” he added.
During the event held at Ridore Primary School, Orengo was escorted out of the venue, with Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o intervening to calm the situation amid flaring tensions.
It all sparked off when a group of youths in attendance of the event heckled and confronted Orengo, with preliminary reports suggesting the youths were ODM ultras who were against the Linda Mwananchi faction. This prompted the Siaya County boss to leave the event.
In what was a rare occasion where the two factions from the ODM divide came together, the burial nearly descended into complete chaos , with the likes of Seme MP calling for calm from both parties.
“My colleagues, let us make our country peaceful. When we have a function. Let there be peace. Must we have a large group of people following us when we have an event?” Nyikal asked.
Orengo has since denied claims that he was chased out of the venue, insisting that he only left out of respect for the occasion.
Contrary to some misreporting, we did not leave the venue because we were “chased.” We departed because the presiding Bishop and Seme MP James Nyikal had already left to proceed with the burial of his father. Our sole purpose for attending was to offer our condolences and stand in solidarity with the family,” he clarified.
Among the dignitaries present at the event were Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga and Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, who is a fierce champion for a 50-50 deal with the Kenya Kwanza government.
Despite the chaos, the likes of Wanga and Ruth Odinga avoided speaking on the tensions, instead focussing to mourn the deceased on their respective social media pages.
Siaya governor James Orengo speaking during the burial of Eliud Nyikal Okaka, father to Seme MP James Nyikal on Saturday, May 3, 2026.
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James Orengo
Source: Kenyans.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
