James Orengo is Raila’s most trusted politician. There are many questions being raised on why Raila always choses Orengo on almost every important occasion-why not Oburu Odinga, his brother.
Well, if you understand history very well, Orengo used to be Raila’s worst critic during Moi’s era. He could do anything to beat Raila politically. But in 1997, when Raila almost scooped everything in Nyanza during general elections, Orengo remained with no option but to join the winning team.
At one time, Raila warned Orengo against going against him, else he remain in the cold forever. Being an individual who had rubbed shoulders with the high and mighty, Orengo saw it wise to join Oginga’s son.
Raila knows that Orengo fears him like a plague, he will do everything to make the former Prime Minister happy.Besides, Orengo knows that he stands a better chance of inheriting the Luo electorate, which influences the politics of this country. By representing him in meetings,Orengo is learning one or two things about being a leader of influential party.
The most important and main reason why he always accompanies Raila is due to the fact that he understands law very well-he is in fact one of the best lawyers in Kenya. If you are keen enough, you would have noticed that no influential politician can survive without a lawyer. Though Raila has Paul Mwangi who advises him on important issues regarding law, the CORD leader must first consult Orengo before throwing the rest to Mwangi.
Finally, Orengo knows several secrets concerning Raila.The ODM leader knows the man from Ugenya can use them to destroy him, completely. That’s is why he won’t afford to lose the lawyer.
