Siaya Governor James Orengo harbors a strong aversion to dogs, a sentiment unchanged since his past encounters with them. Despite the prevalence of dogs as both pets and security measures in the affluent suburbs, Orengo has never warmed up to them.

During a heartfelt eulogy at the funeral of the late Hellen Odera, wife of the late Odinge Odera, in Yimbo, the governor shared a candid account of a distressing incident involving dogs. He recounted an evening in the 1980s when he, then Member of Parliament for Ugenya, visited Mr. Odera, a close aide to Mzee Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, during the tumultuous times of the Nyayo government.

“I arrived at Odera’s residence that night, greeted by the unsettling barks of dogs. Personally, I’ve never been fond of dogs, neither then nor now. I implored him to restrain the dogs,” the county leader recounted.

However, his apprehensions were dismissed by his host, who assured him that the dogs were familiar with him. “Mr. Odera reassured me, claiming that the dogs recognized me. But upon entering, one of the dogs lunged at me, sinking its teeth into my flesh. I remonstrated with Mr. Odera, reminding him of his assurances that the dogs wouldn’t harm me,” Orengo continued.

To his chagrin, Mr. Odera humorously attributed the incident to Orengo’s purported association with the Nyayo regime. “These dogs are attuned to the scent of the Nyayo regime. Did you happen to cross paths with them before visiting me? They seem to have an aversion to the Nyayo scent,” Mr. Odera jestingly remarked.

Subsequently, the governor sought medical attention at Nairobi Hospital, where he received treatment for the dog bite. Since then, his disdain for dogs has remained unchanged.