Siaya governor James Orengo has revealed that the late former president Mwai Kibaki passed away without settling legal fees owed to him for representation during election petition proceedings. Orengo made the disclosure on Sunday, October 4, during the unveiling of The Equitable Party (TEP) in Nairobi. He recounted a long career appearing in court on behalf of opposition figures who contested disputed election results.
Orengo named the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenneth Matiba, and Mwai Kibaki among his former clients. He represented Matiba in his court, where one of the issues was that it was alleged that he was incapable of signing his own election petition. Orengo also represented Mwai Kibaki and kept reminding him that he had never paid his fees, which remained unpaid until Kibaki's death.
The veteran lawyer and politician described the personal toll of sitting with prominent leaders following contested elections. He said it was painful to watch experienced politicians reduced to tears after losses he believed were rigged. Orengo mentioned that he had had the misfortune of sitting with great men and great leaders after the election.
Orengo expressed confidence ahead of the 2027 General Election, attributing it to what he described as unprecedented levels of public discontent with President William Ruto. He stated that he had never seen in his lifetime a president who is as unpopular as President Ruto. Orengo added that he had heard one-term sentiments expressed across the country without prompting.
The governor used the platform to throw his backing behind the former ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna as a presidential contender. Orengo described the endorsement as unchanged from a position he adopted in 2025. He said he had not changed his view and had not changed his position, describing his confidence in Sifuna in unambiguous terms.
Orengo called for opposition unity ahead of 2027, reiterating his longstanding position that a single presidential candidate and a single party offered the best path to defeating the incumbent. He maintained that this stance had been consistent through previous electoral cycles. Orengo's statement comes as Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale warned Sifuna and urged him to seek support from senior opposition figures.
Khalwale acknowledged Sifuna's bravery, brilliance, and physical looks but emphasised that he cannot succeed without the help of other leaders. He also claimed opposition politicians registered decoy parties to mislead Ruto ahead of the TEP Party's launch. Orengo forgave Kibaki for not paying his fees, saying he was a good man.
Key points
- James Orengo revealed that late Mwai Kibaki died without paying his legal fees.
- Orengo expressed confidence in Edwin Sifuna as a presidential contender for the 2027 General Election.
- Orengo called for opposition unity ahead of 2027.
