For four decades now, Siaya Senator James Orengo's name has been dominant in Nyanza politics. He has played a leading role in almost every chapter of the region's politics, when history is written, his name must surely be there.
Since his days as University of Nairobi student leader, Orengo has been a symbol of political resistance. And with fight for multi party democracy gaining momentum in the 1980s and 1990s, the fiery lawyer became a key cog in that struggle. Since then, he has remained an evergreen politician even as his peers struggle for political relevance.
But where does he rank in the history of Nyanza great politicians? Well, there is no doubt that Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya's first Vice President is the greatest politician ever from the region. From fighting Kenya's independence to delivering multi-party democracy, Jaramogi achieved a lot during his long but checkered political career. Even after a fallout with President Jomo Kenyatta, he remained politically relevant until his death. He literally led a one-man opposition outside Parliament for over 20 years.
Tom Mboya: The young and brilliant politician saw his life cut short by assassin's bullet in 1969. But even at 39, the man from Rusinga Islands had had much influence in Kenya's politics and the famous airlifting of Kenyan students for studies in the US is the hallmark of political life.
Raila Odinga is undoubtedly the most influential politician in Nyanza today. He has dominated the region's politics since mid 1990s and is not about to slow down. Not even his unsuccessful attempts at Presidency have rendered him irrelevant.
Senior Counsel Orengo as is commonly referred to comes in after Raila. The Senator has made a name for himself. Widely regarded as the best lawyer in the country today, the man from Ugenya is among the great in Kenya's political and legal spheres. And his impact in Kenya's politics has been felt.