Siaya MCAs deny snubbing State House invitation

Siaya County Assembly Members have refuted allegations that they snubbed an invitation from President William Ruto to visit State House.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, May 13, the MCAs explained that the meeting with the President was not cancelled but rather rescheduled to a later date due to the absence of Governor James Orengo.

According to Majority Leader Richard Otieno, the engagement was initially slated for Wednesday, May 14.

However, it was postponed to next week to allow the Governor, who is currently out of the country, to be present.

Otieno's remarks were echoed by fellow MCAs, who affirmed their readiness to meet the President at State House upon Orengo's return to Kenya.

Otieno explained to journalists that the meeting was postponed to ensure full participation, noting that several senior county officials were still out of town. “We wanted the trip to include everyone, so we had to wait for those who were away to return,” he said.

Central Gem MCA Madingu mentioned that the invitation letter came in on Monday, May 12, through Senator Oburu Odinga, who passed it along on behalf of State House.

North Ugenya MCA Benard Adala added that the initial invitations were sent to the county’s top leaders, who later relayed the details of the planned meeting with the President to the rest of them.

Orengo, a close ally of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has been a vocal critic of Raila's political alliance with Ruto—a stance that has put him under fire.