"You Are A Very Small Man, Shame On You, " Sen Cherargei Lectures ODM Top Official

A heated exchange erupted in Parliament yesterday as Senator Samson Cherargei publicly scolded ODM Governor James Orengo, accusing him of being disrespectful and dismissive. 

The clash took place during a debate on county governance and inter-party relations.

Senator Cherargei, known for his fiery speeches, described Governor Orengo as “a very small man” and warned that such behavior was unbecoming of a public official. “Shame on you,” Cherargei said, addressing Orengo directly. 

“You cannot come here and disrespect your colleagues and expect us to remain silent.”

The confrontation reportedly began after Governor Orengo criticized members of the UDA party for alleged interference in county matters.

Orengo argued that counties should operate independently and that national leaders must respect local governance structures.

Cherargei, a vocal supporter of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and UDA, countered the remarks, accusing Orengo of politicizing county affairs.

Witnesses in Parliament said the tension escalated quickly, with both leaders exchanging sharp words before the Speaker intervened to restore order. 

Members from both sides of the aisle looked on as Cherargei delivered a forceful lecture, emphasizing that public servants must uphold respect and decorum regardless of political differences.

“The people we serve expect us to work together, not insult each other,” Cherargei told the chamber.

“If we cannot maintain respect here, how can we expect it at the grassroots level?”

Governor Orengo, in response, appeared composed but firm, insisting that his criticisms were meant to highlight accountability issues and not to attack any individual. 

The exchange has since dominated social media discussions, with many Kenyans expressing concern over the rising level of personal attacks in political discourse.

Political analysts note that such clashes reflect the deepening tension between UDA and ODM, particularly in counties where both parties are competing for influence ahead of upcoming elections. 

They warn that continued personal attacks may undermine collaboration between national and county leaders, affecting service delivery to the public.

The incident ended with the Speaker reminding all members to maintain civility during debates, stressing that Parliament should be a place for constructive dialogue rather than personal insults.