Lawyer Orengo wants Rasanga to join ODM leader Raila campaigns
Kepher Otieno
Siaya Senator James Orengo has asked outgoing Governor Cornell Rasanga to quit county politics and focus on popularising Opposition chief Raila Odinga’s presidential candidature.
Orengo’s sentiments come in the wake of Rasanga expressing interest in the Alego Usonga parliamentary seat.
“I want Rasanga to join forces with other second-term governors to pull their resources and synergies to campaign for Raila,” he said.
Rasanga has been meeting several groups, including elders with the aim of making a stab at the constituency seat.
Contacted, Rasanga argued that if leaders like Orengo want him to play national politics and support Raila then the constituency seat was the best platform.
“If they want me at the national arena, then Alego–Usonga people will take me there. I am not retiring from politics any time soon,” Rasanga said.
Orengo, while on campaign trail at the weekend, asked Rasanga to shelve his ambition, arguing that a governor was too big to “squat for constituency politics.”
Top politicians
The Senator is planning to succed Rasanga’s seat. Orengo at the same time supports the re-election of Alego-Usonga MP Sam Atandi, who is among the top county politicians that have endorsed Orengo for governorship.
MPs Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Otiende Amollo, (Rarieda) and Christine Ombaka (Siaya Women Rep) have also thrown their weight behind Orengo.
The senator is expected to face off with Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi.
“I am going for the seat and the people will decide,” he said, noting that he will launch a serious campaign soon.
Rasanga is said to be supporting Wandayi’s candidature, effectively putting him on a collision course with Orengo.
Wandayi enjoys considerable support from a section of MCAs allied to Rasanga.
Rasanga will face former governor aspirant William Oduol in the Alego Usonga contest. Oduol lost the battle to Rasanga in the 2013 elections.
They will also face former Alego Usonga MP George Muluan and former Siaya Public Service Board member Kut Ochogo, also eyeing the parliamentary seat.
Local elders, led by Mzee Okoth Oluoko, argued that the Kakan clan supported Rasanga in the 2013 and 2017 elections and it was time for him to support Ochogo.
