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Orengo: I still have Raila’s number, I will never delete it
23rd May, 2026 03:02 PM
Siaya Governor James Orengo has opened up about his connection with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying he still keeps all of his phone numbers and will never delete them.
Orengo made the remarks during a conversation with Oga Obinna on Friday, May 22, 2026, while speaking about Raila and the period surrounding reports of his death.
During the discussion, Obinna asked Orengo whether he still had Raila’s contact saved on his phone. Orengo responded by saying he had kept every number and had no plans of deleting them.
“Ah, no. I have his number; I will never delete it. And it was not just one number. It was several, and I still have all of them,” Orengo said.
Orengo also spoke about hearing news concerning Raila Odinga’s death. He explained that he immediately started making plans to travel to Nairobi after receiving the information.
“I made arrangements to come to Nairobi. I really don’t understand how Baba was brought back,” Orengo explained.
The politician said he was disturbed by how quickly events moved after Raila’s body arrived in the country. He referred to remarks allegedly shared by Sifuna about seeing the coffin after it landed.
“Baba’s body came as cargo. Sifuna gave a very graphic picture; they saw the coffin on the tarmac,” Orengo said.
Questions around the burial
Orengo went on to speak about Raila’s final days in India before his death. He explained that Raila was not alone during the trip and was in communication with people close to him.
“Baba went to India, and his daughter was there, his sister was there, and his security was there. He was sending pictures of himself in India,” Orengo stated.
He also questioned the speed of the burial process, saying things happened too fast for him to understand or come to terms with fully. Orengo explained that he had expected more time before the burial took place.
“It was his wish to be buried (hurriedly). I didn’t see the will. It went too quickly, even when the pope dies, it takes time for him to be buried,” Orengo said.
The Siaya governor added that he still struggles to accept everything that happened. According to him, Raila had made it clear before his death that he still had unfinished work to do.
“I have not really come to terms because Raila stated clearly, there is still business to be done,” Orengo added.
