KISUMU, 28th Sept 2026 – Following the Linda Mwananchi movement’s swift endorsement of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the 2027 presidential race, Siaya Governor James Orengo’s political ambitions are now in a delicate situation.
Despite his keen interest in a second presidential bid under the movement’s banner, Orengo was absent from a special retreat held on Saturday, 26th September 2026, which was attended by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
In 2002,Orengo vied for the presidency for the first time under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and lost.
This recent development has left his supporters uncertain about his next move, as he has maintained a cautious silence and stayed away from some of the movement’s activities.
In this atmosphere of uncertainty, the Luo Council of Elders, led by Ker Odungi Randa, has offered wise political counsel to Orengo: To return home and work closely with ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga.
He compared Orengo’s stance to the biblical story of the prodigal son.
“We can’t force or coerce him to come back, but what I know is that Orengo is a son of Luos from Ugenya and will ultimately return (to the ODM fold),” he said when asked by the media about their efforts to reconcile Oburu and Orengo at Ofafa Memorial Hall on Thursday, 24th September 2026.
Acknowledging his constitutional right to freedom of expression and association, Ker Randa noted that Orengo, like any other politician, should be free to hold divergent views. “That’s why he decided to join like-minded colleagues in forming the Linda Mwananchi Movement.”
He also cautioned that political leaders should practice tolerance, avoiding insults and barbs aimed at humiliating opponents, particularly women contestants.
It is noteworthy that the thaw in political relations between Oburu and Orengo follows a major fallout over the leadership succession of the 20-year-old Orange Party, after the sudden death of former Premier Raila Odinga on 15th October 2026.
Both claimed the leadership role within ODM; Oburu was endorsed by the national delegates and the Office of the Political Parties Registry, while Orengo has been regarded as the ‘de facto party leader by the public.’
This rivalry led the trio of ‘ODM sons’ -Sifuna, Babu, and Orengo, to organise rallies nationwide against the party’s leadership and wage a concerted effort by collaborating with the United Alternative Government to wrestle power from President William Ruto, to make him a wantam (one-term presidency) in the 2027 elections.
Consequently, Babu has established the Mwananchi Party (TMP), while Sifuna is expected soon to launch his new party, the United Democratic Party (UDP), associated with former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, a move following conflicts with the party registrar and Wiper leader Kalonzo over name changes and the retention of Ukombozi.
Orengo was present at the launch of the Ukombozi Alliance, a rebranding of the Azimio La Umoja coalition in Nairobi, led by Kalonzo and other opposition leaders.
Many political analysts view Orengo as a seasoned survivor in politics, akin to a proverbial cat who has weathered numerous storms since he ventured into politics in the late 1970s, and is likely to endure the current political turbulence.
Whether the first-term governor will heed the elders’ advice remains to be seen, and only time will tell.
