Kisumu Women Leaders Demand Orengo Apology Over Remarks Against Wanga
Politics Updated: 21 May 2026 12:41 EAT
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Women leaders in Kisumu County Assembly have issued a strong statement condemning alleged remarks made by Siaya Governor James Orengo against Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, escalating an ongoing political dispute within the Lake Region leadership.
The leaders said they were responding to sentiments attributed to Governor Orengo during a recent public engagement, which they argued were inappropriate, disrespectful, and undermining to women in leadership.
They stated that as elected women representatives in Kisumu County Assembly, they felt compelled to address what they described as an attack on the dignity of Governor Wanga and by extension women in politics.
They emphasized that their response was guided by constitutional principles, particularly Chapter Six on leadership and integrity, which sets standards for conduct among state officers.
"Good afternoon. We come here as ladies of the Kisumu County Assembly and we want to respond to the sentiments that Governor Orengo yesterday made concerning Governor Gladys Wanga."
She further argued that Governor Orengo, as a senior legal practitioner involved in constitutional development, should be well aware of the legal and ethical standards governing public office.
"And I want to say that since Honorable Orengo is a lawyer who participated in the development of the Constitution 2010 and who understands the law, allow me to address him in matters related to law as an office bearer. I want to say that under the Constitution and the County Government's Act, governors are bound by Chapter Six on leadership and integrity."
The leaders further warned that conduct by any governor that undermines public trust in devolution risks drawing intervention from oversight institutions, including the Council of Governors.
They said such conduct, in their view, warranted institutional accountability mechanisms to protect the integrity of county leadership.
"When one governor's conduct brings the office of the governor and the issue of devolution into disrepute, the Council of Governors (COG) has a duty to intervene and enforce standards. And why? Because the sentiments of Governor Orengo on Gladys Wanga violate Article 73 of the Constitution, which requires that authority assigned to a state officer is a public trust to be exercised in a manner that:
Demonstrates respect for the people.
Brings honor to the office and dignity of the office.
Promotes confidence in the integrity of the office."
They further argued that the alleged remarks amounted to a violation of constitutional values and leadership ethics expected of state officers.
The leaders said the issue goes beyond politics, framing it as a matter of respect, dignity, and protection of women in governance spaces.
"The sentiments and sexual attack on Honorable Gladys Wanga contravene this article of the Constitution. Honorable Governor Orengo went further also to violate Section 13 of the Leadership and Integrity Act that requires him not to commit offenses under the Penal Code and Sexual Offenses Act."
They stressed that public officials must maintain courtesy and professionalism, especially when addressing fellow elected leaders in public forums.
"Honorable Orengo must treat the office that he holds and fellow officers with courtesy and respect. Gender insults and sexual attacks are the opposite of the courtesy and respect that his office demands. Under the Public Office Ethics Act and the Code of Conduct, the officers are required to carry out duties in a way that maintains public confidence in the integrity of their office."
The leaders also warned that such language risks undermining national cohesion and could be interpreted as incitement or hate speech under existing laws.
"Using public platforms for sexual insults erodes the confidence and is a violation of the code of governance principle that seeks to promote and protect the image of the organization. National Cohesion and Integrity Act Section 13 also criminalizes the use of threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior intended to spur hatred."
They further noted that gender-based verbal attacks contribute to the exclusion of women from leadership spaces and discourage political participation
"Gender-based dehumanization language falls within the scope of dangerous speech that NCIC has flagged as pushing women out of leadership. I, therefore, want to appeal to the Council of Governors to convene an urgent meeting to mediate between the two governors and give a stern warning to Honorable Orengo to respect the women leaders within that organization."
The leaders also criticized the location and context of the alleged remarks, arguing that they were made in a politically sensitive environment and were inappropriate in tone and intent.
"As Kisumu leaders, we didn't take it kindly that a whole governor could leave his area of jurisdiction, go to Honorable Wanga’s area of jurisdiction just to insult her. We are not taking it kindly, and Honorable Orengo must publicly apologize to the women of Kenya and to Governor Gladys Wanga as a person for having violated the Constitution and abusing the office which he holds."
They called for restraint among political leaders, urging them to focus on ideological differences rather than personal attacks that could inflame tensions.
The statement further emphasized the importance of tolerance and respectful political engagement in democratic governance.
"My advice to all of us as politicians is that we must practice tolerance and exclude abuse in our speeches. Let us differ on ideologies. Let us differ on political positions, but let us not get personal and abuse one another because when we do that, we spur hatred. Gladys Wanga has followers. She has a family. You think her family is taking it lying low? She's a mother. She's a governor. So let us also respect our positions as leaders if we also want to be respected."
The leaders urged all political actors in the region to exercise restraint and uphold constitutional values in public discourse.
They further called on oversight institutions and political bodies to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in future.
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FELIX MAKONA
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