Tensions have erupted in Siaya County after Governor James Orengo came under fierce criticism over controversial remarks directed at Gladys Wanga, with Members of the County Assembly now threatening impeachment proceedings against the veteran politician.
The political storm intensified on Tuesday, May 19, when Siaya County Assembly Majority Chief Whip Booker Bonyo publicly declared that he would begin collecting signatures to impeach the governor, accusing him of making “sexist” and “insensitive” comments against Wanga.
Speaking during a heated session, Bonyo branded Orengo a “rogue governor” and urged MCAs to support efforts to remove him from office.
“I, as the whip, want you members to allow me to whip you to impeach Orengo. I’m going to collect signatures for Orengo to be impeached because we cannot have a rogue governor,” Bonyo declared.
The backlash follows remarks allegedly made by Orengo during an escalating political fallout linked to leadership wrangles within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
Members of the Siaya County Assembly Women Caucus accused the governor of belittling female leadership and using language they described as degrading toward Wanga, who also serves as ODM national chairperson.
Siaya County Assembly Majority Leader Martin Otieno demanded an immediate apology from Orengo, warning that MCAs would boycott all county executive functions until the governor retracts his remarks.
“We cannot continue engaging with a leadership that disrespects women leaders in public,” Otieno reportedly stated.
Nominated MCA Cynthia Akinyi also launched a blistering attack on the governor, accusing him of failing to uphold the dignity expected from a senior statesman.
“Someone who is mentoring everyone in the political space cannot go on top of a vehicle and start uttering the kind of sexist remarks and making women objects of sex. For me, that was sexual harassment,” Akinyi said.
The controversy has since triggered demonstrations in Homa Bay County, where women and youth groups staged protests in solidarity with Governor Wanga.
Several female leaders also condemned Orengo’s comments, insisting that women in leadership deserve equal respect and protection from public humiliation.
The bitter exchange between the two governors is said to stem from growing divisions within ODM over party leadership and succession politics.
Orengo has previously referred to himself as the “people’s party leader” and openly declared that he does not recognise Oburu Oginga’s authority within the party hierarchy.
Wanga, aligned to the Linda Ground faction, accused the Siaya governor of undermining senior ODM leaders and disrespecting party structures.
At the height of the fallout, Orengo reportedly warned Wanga against repeatedly mentioning his name in political rallies, insisting that he had “seen more politics” than she had.
The unfolding row now threatens to deepen divisions within ODM as pressure mounts on Orengo to apologise — or face a potentially explosive impeachment battle.
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