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 | February 22, 1951 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 known for fighting for human rights and is currently the governor of Siaya County. He is also one of the few Kenyan lawyers to be called a Senior counsel. This is a special title given to experienced lawyers.
James Orengo 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 worked with Raila Odinga. In 2007, he won the Ugenya MP seat again and served until 2013. During this time, he was also the Minister for Lands from 2008 to 2013.
From 2013 to 2022, he served as a Senator for Siaya County in the Senate of Kenya. In 2022, he ran for governor of Siaya County and won. He holds this position today.
Early Life and Education
James Aggrey Bob Orengo was born on February 22, 1951. He was born in Kasipul Kabondo, which is in Homabay County, Kenya. 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 and finished in 1964. In 1965, he joined Alliance High School. He completed his high school education in 1970.
In 1971, he began studying law at the University of Nairobi. He became the university president in 1973. He graduated from the University of Nairobi 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.
His Career and Public Service
Activism and Fighting for Rights
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 to change at the university and in the country. He was also a strong voice against the one-party government system.
Along with other important politicians, Orengo pushed for a system where many political parties could exist. He also wanted a new constitution and fair elections. He believed in fighting for what was right for the public.
Orengo has said 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 avoid problems with the government at the time.
He was once held in prisons like Kamiti and Naivasha. He shared a cell with Hezekiah Ochuka, who was involved in an attempted coup in 1982. Orengo recalls that this was a very difficult time.
Even when he was away from the capital city, his activism was noticed. He helped organize protests across the country after a politician named J.M. Kariuki was killed in 1975.
Working for Constitutional Changes
Orengo became well-known for fighting against unfair rules. He spent several years in detention because of his activism. He was part of a group of seven MPs known as the "Seven Bearded Sisters."
Orengo, along with other young politicians like Raila Odinga, worked with older leaders to bring about what was called Kenya's "second liberation." They formed a 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. He also helped start Muungano wa Mageuzi, a group that worked for change across different political parties.
Political Journey
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 elected again in 1992 and 1997, representing Ugenya. He lost his seat in the 2002 general elections.
Running for President in 2002
In 2002, James 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.
Returning to Parliament in 2007
In 2007, Orengo was still the chairman of the SDP. His party supported Raila Odinga and 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 not been in parliament since 2002.
During the post-election crisis that followed the disputed 2007 presidential elections, Orengo was one of the main spokesmen for the Orange Democratic Movement. He worked to help resolve the conflict.
Minister for Lands
In 2008, Orengo became the Minister for Lands in the new Coalition Government. This was his first time serving as a cabinet minister.
Serving in the Senate
In 2013, James Orengo became 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 team working on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Governor of Siaya County
On August 9, 2022, during the General Election, James Orengo won the seat for Governor of Siaya County. He ran with the ODM party under the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition. He is currently the governor of Siaya.
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
