By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, 5 May 2026 - The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has dismissed allegations by Siaya Governor James Orengo that he was the one who personally initiated legal proceedings on behalf of the party.
In a statement by their communication, the party said that the claims by Orengo are not true, adding that the true position is that the National Executive Committee (NEC) deliberated on the issue and formally resolved that the case be filed on behalf of the Party.
At the material time, they said Governor Orengo was brought on board as a senior ranking member with legal expertise specifically to offer legal services on a pro bono basis.
“That was the clear understanding. However, instead of instituting the proceedings through his own law firm, he conveniently introduced the firm of Ms Julie Soweto, which ultimately filed the petition,” read part of the statement.
The statement said there is need to set the record straight regarding the Political Parties Fund (PFF) case that the Party successfully litigated adding that they have noted the claim by Governor Orengo that he personally initiated the matter.
Writing on his X account Governor Orengo has said it is a matter of pubic record that he personally initiated the legal proceedings on behalf of ODM to detremine the fund owed to the party by the government.
Orengo noted that the KSh 12 billion figure exists today only because of the ruling in the case he filed.
"It is ironical to see that they are now demanding these funds from the President," wrote Governor Orengo.
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However the ODM said the character of the engagement shifted from what had been understood as a pro bono undertaking into a contractual legal arrangement.
"Following the Party’s success in the High Court in 2016 and subsequently in the Court of Appeal in 2018, demands for legal fees began to be made," the ODM statement said.
The party claimed Ms Soweto’s Law firm was paid KSh 40 million by the party adding that the demand came as a surprise to everyone including the Party Leader the late Raila Odinga who branded Orengo and his team “mercenaries”.
The ODM said there was nothing ‘PRO-BONO’ noting that documentary trail in this regard is clear and verifiable and Orengo has personally received these payments alleging that there is evidence to that effect.
The statement said that the Party is now embroiled in an ongoing legal dispute in the High Court with the Soweto Firm that they claims is associated with Governor Orengo demanding payment of KSh 350 million.
"As a Senior Counsel, Governor Orengo should know that he is bound by the Professional Ethics standards of Advocate-Client confidentiality," read part of the statement.
They said they expected him to acknowledge that he was paid for he legal services he rendered which was against the initial agreement of providing pro-bono services to the party he so much ‘loves and cares’ about.