KDF Personnel rolls the Body of Former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga during the State Funeral Service at the Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]
Why Governor Orengo is pushing for inter-state inquest into Raila Odinga's death
National
By
Ndung’u Gachane
| Mar 07, 2026
Siaya Governor James Orengo is now pushing for an inter-state inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, claiming that he did not believe he died a natural death.
According to Orengo, the legal process will unravel the truth on what killed the ODM leader, even as he cast doubts on the official explanation for his ‘mysterious’ death.
In an interview with KTN and The Sunday Standard, Orengo also raised concerns over the circumstances that saw Raila flown to India, suggesting that he may have been taken there against his own volition.
“The only way that Kenyans will know the truth is for an inter-state inquest with the authorities involved to explain the circumstances that led to Raila’s death. There should be accountability for the health of leaders, and it can't go just like that,’ he said.
READ MORE
Local borrowing: How Treasury is edging out 'mama mboga' for banks
Agoa renewal offers new chance to redefine Africa's place in global trade
Iran war hits kitchens as shilling slumps, forex reserves dwindle
China woos Kenyan producers with '800-million opportunity' as zero-tariff deal takes effect
Co-op bank shares set for further gains on strong profit growth, lower rates
Kenya slashes dollar debt to record low as Chinese yuan gains ground
Government plans stricter laws to clean up tea sector
Tourism earnings hit record Sh500 billion as arrivals near 8m
Kakamega youth, women eye avocado export cash after skills training
On Raila’s evacuation from Kenya to India, Orengo said: "I think he was almost forced to go to a specific institution in India, accompanied by people whose actions I find deeply questionable.”
While tearing apart the official explanation for Raila’s death, Orengo questioned the absence of a public postmortem report, saying, "Based on the publicly available information, it seems clear that the official cause does not fully account for the circumstances. I believe there may have been some external intervention. A thorough and transparent inquiry could reveal the truth.”
He highlighted the importance of verification in matters of public concern and drew on his experience with high-profile cases, giving an example of the death of former Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Ouko, where the government suggested suicide, while the verification suggested murder.
"Even when professionals provide explanations, verification is essential. In the case of Ouko, some government officials suggested suicide, and in the Julie Ward trial, a proper investigation was necessary to uncover the truth. The same principle applies here.”
He added, "The nation is being asked to accept his passing as natural. However, the public interest demands that we examine the circumstances fully.”
At the same time, the governor, a harsh critic of the broad-based arrangement between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), accused ODM leaders who support the government of ‘living a lie’ and being hypocritical for holding positions in the Parliament despite them supporting the government.
“As at now, there is no deal between the government and the ODM, because if there was, the two parties ought to have deposited their agreement with the registrar of political parties. We are living a lie when some ODM leaders support the government but continue holding parliamentary positions that are reserved for the Minority,” he said.
While poking holes in President William Ruto’s commitment to implement the ten-point agenda and the National Dialogue Committee Report (Nadco), Orengo decried that the government continued to commit the very crimes it had vowed to stop while signing a memorandum of understanding with the late Raila.
“The 10-point agenda was about the people of Kenya and not necessarily about ODM and UDA. If you take into account some of the issues on the MOU which talked about actualisation, the issues of abductions, extrajudicial killings, compensation, high cost of living, managing the debts, none have been actualised,” he said.
Share this story
MOST READ
- Agoa renewal offers new chance to redefine Africa's place in global trade
OPINION
By Paul Russo
- Iran war hits kitchens as shilling slumps, forex reserves dwindle
BUSINESS
By Brian Ngugi
- China woos Kenyan producers with '800-million opportunity' as zero-tariff deal takes effect
BUSINESS
By Brian Ngugi