James Orengo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Orengo
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Orengo in 2024
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| Governor of Siaya County | |
| Assumed office 25 August 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Cornel Rasanga |
| Minority Leader of the Senate of Kenya | |
| In office 15 March 2018 – 9 August 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Moses Wetangula |
| Succeeded by | Stewart Madzayo |
| Senator of Siaya County | |
| In office 28 March 2013 – 25 August 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Post created |
| Succeeded by | Oburu Odinga |
| Minister for Lands | |
| In office 2008–2013 |
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| President | Mwai Kibaki |
| Member of the Kenyan Parliament | |
| In office 15 January 2008 – 28 March 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Stephen Ondiek |
| Succeeded by | David Ochieng Ouma |
| Constituency | Ugenya |
| Member of the Kenyan Parliament | |
| In office 26 January 1993 – 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Stephen Ondiek |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Ondiek |
| Constituency | Ugenya |
| In office 1980–1983 |
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| Preceded by | Matthews Joseph Ogutu |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Ondiek |
| Constituency | Ugenya |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1951 (age 73–74) Kenya Colony |
| Political party | ODM, SDP |
| Spouse | Betty Murungi |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | University of Nairobi (LLB) Kenya School of Law |
| Profession | Lawyer |
James Aggrey Bob Orengo is a Kenyan lawyer and politician. He is currently the governor of Siaya County. He is also a respected human rights activist. James Orengo is one of the few lawyers in Kenya to become a Senior counsel. This is a special title he received during President Mwai Kibaki's time.
Orengo first became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ugenya Constituency in 1980. He was only 29 years old, making him the youngest MP in Kenya at that time. He served as an MP for Ugenya from 1992 to 2002. In 2002, he ran for president but did not win.
In 2005, he joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. He teamed up with Raila Odinga. In 2007, he won the Ugenya MP seat again. He served as MP until 2013. From 2008 to 2013, he was also the Minister for Lands. He then became a Senator for Siaya County, serving from 2013 to 2017.
In 2022, James Orengo ran for governor of Siaya County and won. He holds this important position today.
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Early Life and Education
James Aggrey Bob Orengo was born in 1951. His birthplace was Kasipul Kabondo in Homabay County, which was then part of Kenya Colony. His father, Apolo Stefano Olunga Orengo, was a senior police chief. His mother was Josfina Atieno Olunga Orengo.
He started primary school at Ambira Primary School in 1954. He finished his primary education in 1964. In January 1965, he joined the famous Alliance High School. He completed his high school education there in 1970.
In 1971, he began studying law at the University of Nairobi. He became the university president in 1973. He graduated in 1974 with a law degree (Bachelor of Laws). After that, he went to the Kenya School of Law. He passed his exams and became a lawyer in Kenya.
Political Career and Activism
Early Activism
James Orengo was known as a political activist even when he was a student. He led many student protests. These protests were about issues he felt needed change at the university and across the country. He was also a strong voice against the single-party government system.
Along with other important politicians, Orengo pushed for Kenya to have many political parties. He also wanted a new constitution and fair elections. He worked for many other issues that were important to the public.
Orengo says that being an activist was not always easy. Sometimes he had to leave the country for his safety. In the early 1980s, he lived in Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe to escape the strict government in Kenya.
Fighting for Democracy
Orengo became well-known for fighting against unfair rule. He spent time in prison because of his activism. He was part of a group of seven MPs called the "Seven Bearded Sisters."
Orengo, along with Michael Kijana Wamalwa, Kiraitu Murungi, Raila Odinga, and Paul Muite, were called the "Young Turks." They worked with older leaders like Jaramogi Oginga Odinga to bring about Kenya's "second liberation." This was a time when they fought for more freedom and democracy.
They formed a strong political group called the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD). This group almost removed the ruling party, KANU, from power in the 1992 Kenyan general election. Orengo also helped start "Muungano wa Mageuzi," which means "Movement for Change." This group worked across different political parties.
Member of Parliament
Orengo was first elected as an MP for Ugenya Constituency in 1980. He was a candidate for the KANU party. He was the youngest MP at 29 years old. He was re-elected as an MP in December 1992 under the FORD-Kenya party. He won again in December 1997.
He lost his seat in the 2002 general elections. In that same election, he also ran for president.
Presidential Run in 2002
In 2002, Orengo ran for president as a candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He finished fourth in the election. His party also lost all its seats in parliament. This happened because many SDP leaders joined another group called the NARC.
Return to Parliament in 2007
In 2007, Orengo was still the chairman of the SDP. His party supported Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the 2007 Kenyan general election. In these elections, Orengo won the Ugenya Parliamentary seat as an ODM candidate. He had been out of parliament since 2002.
During the difficult time after the 2007 elections, Orengo was one of the main spokesmen for the ODM party. He helped try to resolve the political disagreements.
Minister for Lands
In 2008, James Orengo became the Minister for Lands. This was part of a new government formed after the 2007 elections. It was his first time serving as a cabinet minister.
As Minister for Lands, Orengo spoke about the sale of the Grand Regency hotel. This led to a big public discussion known as the Grand Regency Scandal.
Serving in the Senate
In 2013, Orengo was sworn in as the Senator for Siaya County. He was re-elected as senator for the same county in 2017. In 2018, his party leader, Raila Amollo Odinga, chose him to be the Minority Leader in the Kenyan Senate.
In 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga appointed Orengo to a special team. This team was created to work on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Governor of Siaya County
On August 9, 2022, James Orengo won the election for Governor of Siaya County. He ran with the ODM party under the Azimio la Umoja one Coalition. He is currently serving as the governor.
Personal Life
James Orengo is married to Betty Kaari Murungi. She is also a lawyer and a well-known expert in human rights.
See also
