The simmering feud in the Siaya County executive has boiled over. Deputy Governor William Oduol has officially declared that he will challenge his boss, James Orengo, for the gubernatorial seat in 2027. The announcement marks the end of a fragile truce brokered by ODM leader Raila Odinga last year.

Oduol, who survived an impeachment motion in the Senate, accused Orengo of "mismanagement and cartels." Speaking at a church service in Alego Usonga, he claimed that the county government has been hijacked by "brokers" who are looting public funds while residents lack water and drugs.

"I Will Not Resign"

Defying calls to step down, Oduol stated he would run the race from within the government. "I was elected on a joint ticket. I am not an appointee," he fired back. This sets the stage for a paralyzed county administration, with the Governor and his Deputy openly campaigning against each other.

• The Alego Factor: Oduol is banking on the populous Alego Usonga vote block, which feels marginalized by the current administration. He is also courting the Ugenya and Gem constituencies, positioning himself as the "outsider" fighting the establishment.
• Orengo’s Counter: Governor Orengo’s camp has dismissed Oduol as a "distraction" and a "mole" working for the national government. They point to Oduol’s frequent praise of President Ruto’s development tours as proof of his disloyalty to ODM.

A Headache for Raila

The infighting in his home county is a major embarrassment for Raila Odinga. With ODM already fracturing at the national level, a civil war in Siaya weakens the party’s bedrock. As 2027 approaches, the "Luo Nyanza" monolith is showing cracks, and William Oduol is wielding the sledgehammer.