Siaya Governor James Orengo has openly disagreed with Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga over his call for President William Ruto to adopt what he described as "benevolent dictatorship", saying Kenya's democratic journey cannot be reversed under the 2010 Constitution.
Addressing a public gathering in Mombasa on Thursday, Orengo said he was deeply disappointed by Oburu's remarks, arguing that they contradicted the democratic values championed by leaders who fought for constitutional reforms.
"I was surprised and shocked that our brother Oburu, who comes from a political family which has fought for democracy, and is in a party whose name bears the word democracy, would invite Ruto to be a benevolent dictator, as if already Ruto is not a dictator," Orengo said.
He said it was even more disturbing because the remarks came from a serving senator who had taken an oath to protect and defend the Constitution.
"It is a shock and a tragedy for somebody who is in Parliament, more particularly the Senate, and has taken oath on the basis of the democratic Constitution that we have, the Constitution of 2010, to invite a president already who is authoritarian to be a benevolent dictator," he added.
Orengo maintained that the country had moved beyond the era of authoritarian rule and that the Constitution remained the ultimate safeguard of Kenya's democracy.
"Kenya will never be a dictatorship in our lives by rule of law or the Constitution. Kenya will never, never go to the authoritarian days that brought detentions without trial," he said.
His comments came a day after Oburu defended the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund and urged President Ruto to remain focused on implementing long-term economic reforms despite political criticism.
Speaking during the signing ceremony of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill at State House, Oburu said he had advised the President to make bold choices for the country's future, even when they attracted political opposition.
"I encouraged the President to occasionally employ a level of 'benevolent dictatorship' to stand firm, cut through the political noise, and make the hard, bold decisions necessary to achieve the absolute best for all Kenyans," Oburu said.
The senator said the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund would rank among Kenya's most important economic reforms by protecting national wealth, shielding the economy from external shocks and supporting strategic development projects for future generations.
However, Orengo rejected the idea that decisive leadership should override democratic principles, insisting that all leaders must remain bound by the Constitution and the rule of law.
The governor also defended the opposition-backed Linda Jamii movement, saying it was formed to unite Kenyans rather than advance tribal or regional interests.
"Linda Jamii is a national movement. It's not a tribal movement. We don't want a tribal arrangement. It's a national movement," he said.
Orengo also turned his attention to the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, urging residents to vote for the opposition-backed candidate instead of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominee. He said the contest offers voters an opportunity to push for political change while preserving peace throughout the electoral process.