Kenyans Hail James Orengo For Accompanying William Ruto To India: "Excellent Move Jimmy"

• Siaya governor James Orengo accompanied President William Ruto to India for a two-day state visit to hold bilateral talks with the Indian government
• Orengo said that he represented the LREB to inform the president of the MOUs that the economic block signed with the Indian government ministries and departments
• A section of Kenyans praised him for choosing development over politics and motivating him to continue tapping for opportunities for his electorates

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Siaya governor James Orengo's trip to India with President William Ruto has excited Kenyans.

The president travelled to India for a two-day state visit, where they discussed various memoranda of understanding that would strengthen the partnership between Kenya and India.

Why did Orengo go to India?

The ODM politician represented the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) to apprise the head of state of the memoranda of understanding the block signed with the Indian government ministries.

"I led a delegation from Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) including Governors Stephen Sang of Nandi and Dr Hillary Barchok (Bomet) to apprise President William Ruto on the MOUs LREB has signed with Indian government ministries and departments before his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India," said the governor.

The MOUs focused on building a solar energy park and an extension of the SGR from Naivasha to Malaba, with an interlinking railway network connecting the 14 LREB counties.

Orengo, a close ally of Raila Odinga, said that Ruto endorsed the project concepts for further discussions with the government of India.

"The MOUs by LREB are one to establish a solar energy park with a capacity of 280 MW, with each of the 14 counties getting between 10 and 50 MW. The second one seeks to expand the SGR from Naivasha to the Malaba corridor, but at its core is an interlinking railway network that joins the 14 LREB counties. President Ruto approved both project concepts for further discussions with the Indian administration," he confirmed.

Kenyans react as Orengo walks with Ruto

@JamesOleKiyiapi said:

"Way to go, Governor! Tap opportunities wherever they may exist—north, east, south, and west. There is a shift towards building the country, and by extension, devolved units must override everything else."

@Cymaina said:

"This is commendable. When Kenyans leaders work together, great strides can be made, and huge economic opportunities are unlocked."

@AlbertoLeny said:

"Excellent move, Governor steer LREB to the greater socio-economic development that this well endowed region deserves. It is long overdue. Well done!."

Indian Exim Bank sets base in Kenya

While in India, the president announced that the Indian Exim Bank will set its headquarters in the Kenyan capital city, Nairobi, to serve the entire East African region.

Ruto explained that the move is a key component of the Kenya Kwanza Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda, intending to draw foreign investment into the country.

"Investment is a key enabler of Kenya’s social and economic development. Attracting and retaining foreign investment from across the world is integral to the Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda," said Ruto.