[Siaya Senator James Orengo in a past interview. He is one of the politicians who survived many detentions due to his habit of hide and seek. Photo/Nation]
Known for his thrilling speeches in political functions, Siaya Senator James Orengo’s journey in Kenya politics wasn’t easy if accounts by some of his colleagues in struggle are anything to go by.
Having served as powerful SONU chairman in 1974, Orengo could later be elected as Ugenya MP in 1980 during a by election.
But the youthful Orengo then joined in the blacklist of powerful Attorney General Charles Njonjo and was subsequently labeled ‘Seven bearded sisters’, a term used to describe seven youthful MPs that were critical of government.
“He was very clever and could help us find the best way to deal with the police,” recalls Abuya Abuya, his fellow pluralism crusader.
According to him, Orengo would run out of them country when he felt threatened by the regime only to resurface when all was well.
“Although some of us would be arrested, he would dodge the arrest and even go to exile to evade the police,” says Abuga in reference to Orengo’s exile in Tanzania.
But his theatrics could further work in 1990s where he would play hide and seek with the police on top of using his legal skills to evade detentions.
‘’He would confuse the police by hiding in ordinary people completely disguised. When feels cornered, he would surrender to police station and seek bail an automatic excuse from arrest,” adds Abuya.
Among those whom he worked with include Lawrence Sifuna, Abuya Abuya, Koigi Wamwere Chibule watsuma and Chelagat Mutai.