Siaya Senator James Orengo is a man under siege and could be fighting to regain his trust in opposition leader Raila Odinga's inner circle, reports the Sunday Nation.
For the last decade, Mr Orengo has been an integral figure in Odinga's kitchen cabinet along with Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o. In 2017, Orengo was the lead counsel in the team that won presidential petition for Raila at Supreme Court.
However, things seems to have drastically changed since the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila, with Orengo left in darkness contrary to his expectations.
According to the Sunday Nation, Odinga has assembled a team of lawyers, politicians, family members and religious leaders in preparations for referendum and 2022 polls. Apparently, Orengo does not feature in kitchen cabinet.
“The strategy is simply to help Raila navigate his politics. You can see that he has abandoned confrontational politics and taken the path of consultation,” a source familiar with the team said.
In March this year, reports emerged that Mr Odinga was unhappy with Orengo, accusing him of wrecking the ODM party from within. He was particularly unhappy with Orengo's remarks that the party will impeach DP William Ruto.
“It should be noted that their remarks are not attributable to ODM. Our people must be responsible in their statements going forward, bearing in mind that the handshake had nothing to do with the next General Election,” John Mbadi said in reference to Orengo's remarks.
Key players in this close knit team include foe-turned-friend and Jubilee Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, ODM deputy party leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Mr Odinga’s brother Oburu Oginga, his wife Ida, University don Adams Oloo, Busia Senator Amos Wako, lawyer Paul Mwangi and Bishop Zacheus Okoth.
Others said to have Mr Odinga’s ear are his long serving aide Andrew Mondoh, Governors James Ongwae (Kisii), Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu), and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
Both Joho and Oparanya are in the team by the virtue of their political base. The two are serving their last term and Odinga is keen to have them in his future political expeditions.
“If you recall the ODM Pentagon that consisted of regional kingpins in 2007, you will understand the matrix. Oparanya and Joho are still key for Raila’s future political ambitions,” a source close to Mr Odinga said.
“It is on this basis that the party supports the formation of a three-tier government with 14 regional governments. With that in place, governors serving their second term will have a soft landing.”
Mr Junet Has recently been playing key roles in Odinga's team and is the only politician who was privy to handshake. Mr Ongwae and Mondoh are career civil servants who play major advisory role.
“The team Raila selected is treated as part of his inner circle as it is entrusted with the most sensitive matters pertaining to the task force. Its report will shape the referendum and the 2022 elections,” an ODM insider said.
The Senior Counsel has thrown to periphery, only participating in limping NASA advisory committee which does not control Odinga's political moves anymore.
But in recent weeks, he has been moving around with Odinga, an indication that he's ready to win the heart of Mr Odinga. He accompanied Raila to Elgeyo-Marakwet County and on Saturday, the two were at Kirinyaga during the wedding of Governor Ann Waiguru.
After the death of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1994, Orengo was in the team that gave Raila sleepless nights in Ford Kenya. In 2002, he vied for presidency. But the two reconciled in 2007.