“He Never Tasted Tear Gas”: Orengo Questions Oburu’s ODM Leadership

The battle for the soul of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) took a dramatic turn on Sunday, March 1, 2026, as Siaya Governor James Orengo launched a scathing critique of the party’s current trajectory. In a candid interview, the veteran human rights lawyer and close ally of the late Raila Odinga questioned whether Oburu Odinga possesses the “battle-hardened” credentials necessary to steer Kenya’s most storied opposition party.

Orengo argued that leadership in a party forged through decades of struggle requires a history of frontline activism, something he suggests Oburu lacks.

“He Never Tasted Tear Gas”

Drawing a sharp contrast between Oburu and his legendary younger brother, the late Raila Odinga, Orengo pointed to the differing political paths the two siblings walked. While Raila inherited their father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s mantle through detention and street protests, Orengo views Oburu’s rise as more proximity than pedigree.

“Oburu was born into a political family of the grandest of politicians; that was his father,” Orengo said. “Most of his father’s life, he was in the political background. He never really was in the forefront. He never tasted tear gas. He’s never been inside a, you know, a police station.”

Orengo noted that Raila’s emergence as the “true heir” was no coincidence, given their father’s frequent arrests and time in detention. To Orengo, leadership is earned in the trenches of police stations and protest lines, not inherited through a surname.

While describing Oburu as “a good man” and “an honest man,” the Siaya governor voiced a significant caution regarding the party’s future under its current leadership. He hinted that “shadowy characters” within ODM might be pulling the strings behind the scenes.

“I think he will not be able to lead the party in the right direction if he’s going to be manipulated by characters within the party, which is a major objective,” Orengo warned.

Orengo Signals Readiness to Lead

As speculation mounts over who will eventually take the permanent helm of ODM, Orengo’s comments served as a powerful “shot across the bow.” When pressed on his own ambitions and whether he could do a better job, the governor balanced a call for unity with a clear declaration of his own readiness.

“I can’t say that because I think now we want a united party,” he began cautiously. “And if we want a united party, we should see; we should find a pathway and have a leadership that can enable us to have unity within the party.”

However, he quickly pivoted to his own credentials, making it clear he is not ruling himself out of the top job:

“But I am not afraid to become a party leader. I’m not afraid, you know, to take leadership, even at this time of my political life.”

No Room for “Praise and Worship”

Orengo concluded by describing the type of leadership he believes Kenya requires in the current political climate. He rejected the idea of a passive opposition that merely echoes government sentiment.

“I think there’s a lot still to fight for in the country that needs to have strong leadership. We don’t want, you know, choir masters and praise and worship teams,” Orengo stated firmly. “That’s not what Kenya needs at the moment. We need fighters and people who can stand tall, even as they face…”

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