After months of silence and speculation about his political future, Governor James Orengo has bounced back in style, announcing the first-ever Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO 2025), scheduled for October 14–17, 2025. The move marks a turning point for Orengo and signals that Siaya is ready to transform from a traditional political battleground into an economic powerhouse.
A Historic Comeback
For a governor who had been accused by critics of retreating from the national spotlight, Orengo’s announcement was as much about politics as it was about economics. Standing tall before the media, Orengo confirmed that both President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will grace the conference. Having two of Kenya’s most powerful figures endorse the event is not just an economic signal—it is a political masterstroke.
“This is a strong show of confidence in Siaya’s ability to host a global-standard investment forum,” Orengo declared, adding that the conference would not be about “endless MOUs” but real contracts, signed deals, and tangible projects.
Siaya County has long been viewed through a political lens—as Raila Odinga’s backyard and a hotbed of political contests. Orengo now wants to change that narrative. By hosting SITICO 2025, he is positioning the county as a serious destination for investors in agriculture, manufacturing, energy, tourism, and the blue economy.
The numbers tell a story of potential waiting to be unlocked. Siaya contributes just 1% of Kenya’s GDP (about KSh 15.4 billion), with agriculture accounting for 60% of this output. Only 8% of the county’s irrigable land is in use. Through SITICO, Orengo says his administration will increase irrigation by 30% in five years, boosting rice and cotton production and attracting investments in agro-processing.
The blue economy is another frontier. With only 65 hectares under fish farming across 1,800 ponds, Siaya plans to exploit Lake Victoria’s cage fish farming potential. “Our goal is simple: to move from intent to impact, from memorandum to machinery,” Orengo stressed.
Unlike the countless county events that end with promises and photographs, SITICO 2025 will be judged by the contracts signed and projects delivered. The program includes plenary sessions, investment roundtables, B2B deal rooms, and site visits to priority projects.
“This will be a conference like no other,” Orengo told journalists. “We will unveil deals signed with investors, and some agreements will be finalized during the four days of the event.”
Orengo knows that investors watch governance as closely as they watch markets. He reminded the country that Siaya has been recognized nationally for transparency—ranked the third-best county in timely contractor payments by the Controller of Budget, and flagged among the least likely to solicit bribes according to the EACC.
That record, he argues, makes Siaya one of the most investor-friendly counties in Kenya. “We are committed to ensuring that investors feel secure and that their projects will be delivered without unnecessary hurdles,” he said.
Observers note that the conference is more than an economic forum—it is Orengo’s political reawakening. After staying away from frontline politics for most of 2024 and early 2025, Orengo is making a statement: he is still a central player in the Raila succession battles and in national politics.
By bringing together Ruto and Raila in Siaya, Orengo is also showing his ability to unite competing political forces under the banner of development. For many in the county, it is a sign that their governor is finally moving from opposition politics to practical leadership.
For Siaya residents, SITICO 2025 is more than just a conference. It is a chance to attract jobs, expand infrastructure, and give young people opportunities beyond politics. For Orengo, it is a political resurrection and an attempt to cement his legacy as more than just a lawyer and activist—but as a governor who delivered economic transformation.
“Join us in Siaya County for trade, tourism, and investment opportunities. This is the moment to unlock Siaya’s potential and build a prosperous future together,” Orengo urged investors.
SITICO 2025 will be remembered less for the speeches and more for the deals signed. But one thing is already clear: Governor James Orengo is back on the national stage, armed not with rhetoric, but with an economic blueprint for Siaya’s future.
The countdown to October has begun—and all eyes will be on Siaya.
