Senate Minority Leader James Orengo has dismissed those trying to direct him on how to perform his duties as a senator.
Speaking in an apparent reference to the upheaval being witnessed in his ODM Party, Orengo said he will continue performing his duties and speaking his mind on national matters.
“I can never be intimidated in my political life, because I have seen powerful people come and go, I have seen Presidents come and go,” Orengo said on Thursday during a Senate session on the impeachment of Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud.
Going back to history, Orengo, who is also the Senator for Siaya County, named influential individuals that went against the government but left with their conscience high.
The minority leader said the Senate is an important House with an enormous duty, adding that Senators should never allow themselves to be intimidated.
“If my day comes I will accept it, but my conscience, the way I was brought up I can never sell it, I would never,” he said.
Orengo chided those who try to muzzle the voices of those who they don’t agree with their opinion, and equated them to behaving like a nation of beasts.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, who is seen as a close ally of Senator Orengo, has already been de-whipped from the Justice and Legal Affairs committee that was dealing with the bill.
ODM was forced to issue a statement on Wednesday following rumors that Orengo could be removed from the Minority Leader position after what befell Otiende.
The statement sent by ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango denied that there was a plan to de-whip Orengo from the position.