James Orengo: Internet remembers Siaya Governor as Raila's ultimate ‘Minister of Enjoyment’

As the crowd at Nyayo Stadium laughed, Uhuru struggled to explain the innocent nature of the drink that would occasionally bring the two statesmen together - but everyone knows that no good story begins with a cup of Uji.

While it's no secret that Uhuru Kenyatta would occasionally enjoy the finest Scotch whisky in the company of his Lakeside buddy, there still remain scanty details on the nature of the room - who else was there, what would they drink, what type of conversations would they engage in, and who would be the first to hit the dancefloor.

One thing is for sure, though: According to the internet, Siaya governor James Orengo was a permanent fixture in all of Raila's late-night outings, as photos and grainy videos of the two bosom buddies having a jolly good time litter social media.

Kenyans have concluded, in no uncertain terms, that James Orengo must have been Raila's chief party connoisseur; the ultimate 'Minister of Enjoyment', the Numero Uno beer buddy, the perfect alibi, the release homeboy and the ever-present regular in Baba's most heightened nights.

Videos making rounds on X show the two enjoying the night in various stages of stately inebriation as they dance the night away, laugh hysterically, huddle around each other, pose for photos and knock away a joke or two.

In one video, a Benga musician sings a breezy tune as Baba and Orengo join him onstage, drenched in revelry and sheer mirth, as they dance and cavort the night away.

Another photo shows Orengo, in his trademark grin and sprightly countenance, standing alongside Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta, Makau Mutua and Paul Mwangi in what is evidently a quick, messy photo-op.

Almost every photo and video shared of Raila and Orengo show the two sharing unbreakable camaraderie - they're in high spirits, they're falling over each other, they're leaning on one another, and they're cheering the moment away, too lost in the shining glory of their imperishable bromance.

"I am loving the spotlight on Orengo as Raila’s BFF. It is funny and beautiful. What a buddy! A real one that one!" Judy Atieno posted on X.

Many have agreed that, perhaps, there was no one closer to Raila Odinga than James Orengo; it is a relationship borne not in the alleys of politics but the primal yearnings of boyhood, a brotherliness that was occasioned by the unavoidable extracurricular activities of every married man - the intrinsic need to step out, meet some new people, drown a cold one and just be a boy, for a moment.

Another observer on X wrote: "This man James Orengo. He was with Raila, not just in Baba's naughty moments but also in court to defend him against electoral thuggery. He stood by him publicly and privately. We all need an Orengo in our lives."

Some cheeky observers also dragged Mama Ida into the conversation, alluding that the Orengo-Raila pact might have impacted Ida's marriage - with many suggesting that Mama Ida had had to censure Orengo on their friendship one too many times.

"Lakini Orengo was a true right-hand man to Raila. Lazima Ida alikuwa anatetesha Orengo mara mob sana Raila akichelewa kuenda home. Anyone with a homeboy knows how wives treat her. Haha!" someone wrote.

As the conversation gathered steam, historians shared an old tale which revealed that the two Lakeside titans weren't always friendly - in the 1990s, Raila and Orengo would be locked in a vicious supremacy battle which saw both camps face off in violent clashes over the soul of the Luo nation.

Then, it was agreed, Orengo had a wealth of experience despite his youthful age as he had been elected to Parliament in 1980, aged 29 and had acted as Jaramogi's lawyer on complicated legal matters. 

He also had the respect of the officials who had worked with Jaramogi, an advantage over Raila, who was seen as a greenhorn riding on his father's influence.

The fight over who, between Orengo and Raila, would deputise Kijana Wamalwa in the Ford Kenya party saw the two break away in dramatic fashion - Wamalwa preferred Orengo and Raila would storm off to form his own party, the National Development Party (NDP). 

The head of former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa’s security team, Audi Ogad, said: "Raila initially wanted to contest as Wamalwa’s first vice-chairman against Orengo, but changed his mind and went for the top seat after learning Wamalwa was supporting the Ugenya MP. Things got worse when it emerged that both sides had their own list of delegates."

Raila's decision to oppose both Orengo and Wamalwa led to a chaotic scene at Thika Stadium in 1995 as both leaders declared themselves winners.

In April 1999, things got even uglier - and bloody - as police officers had to intervene at a fundraiser rally after Orengo's supporters violently attempted to block Odinga from holding a fundraiser in Ugunga.

Things, however, cooled off as Kenyans sought to send President Daniel Arap Moi packing as Raila teamed up with ex-rival Wamalwa and supported former President Mwai Kibaki's bid to succeed Moi. 

The alliance prompted Orengo to vie for the Presidency seat on a Social Democratic Party (SDP) ticket.

“I wanted real leadership change when Moi’s term in office came to an end, and not just another game of musical chairs,” Orengo previously told the Standard.

Now, Kenyans view Orengo, Raila's ex-foe, as someone who held Baba's darkest secrets, someone who understood his deepest pains, someone who helped walk in the darkest trenches and someone who brought out the true human in a universally loved political figure.

On the night Raila's body arrived in Kenya, a teary-eyed James Orengo spoke to Citizen TV. He said: "I never believed that such a day would come when we do not have Jakom around. Kenya has lost one of its most consequential sons and patriots. I can say without fear of contradiction that Raila Odinga is the greatest Kenyan that ever lived."

Baba's death brought forth yet another crucial death - the death of a friendship, a comradeship and an almost divine relationship which defined the paths of two of Nyanza's most beloved sons.