Siaya County MCAs were once allegedly tipped to vote for the late lawyer Evans Oruenjo as the next Speaker, but they failed to deliver on their promise.

The late Oruenjo, who had previously contested the Alego Usonga parliamentary seat, showed a keen interest in the assembly leader’s seat following the 2022 general elections.

In his bid for support, Oruenjo met with the newly elected MCAs and nominated members, offering each a token of appreciation—Sh40,000—to secure their votes.

Despite his efforts and reputation as a young, hardworking lawyer, none of the MCAs who pledged their support followed through.

At critical moments, they switched off their phones, leaving Oruenjo in the lurch.

Gem lawmaker Elisha Odhiambo, recognizing the potential of the young lawyer, expressed his disappointment over what he described as the hypocrisy of the MCAs.

“It saddens me that some of the MCAs here today, showering the late Oruenjo with glowing tributes, refused to elect him as Speaker even after accepting his money. They all received Sh40,000 and abandoned him when it mattered most,” said Odhiambo, a close friend of the late advocate.

The late Oruenjo succumbed to cancer three weeks ago.

Ultimately, the seat was won by George Okode, who has since served three uninterrupted terms.

Okode had previously served as Speaker when the High Court nullified the election of Governor Cornel Rasanga in 2013.