Siaya Governor James Orengo, a key figure in the Linda Mwananchi movement, was conspicuously absent during the launch of the party. His name was also missing from the list of party officials unveiled by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, raising questions about his place in the outfit.
According to his close allies, the governor was in Homa Bay County, where he was reportedly unveiling a political party of his own. The claim has intensified speculation about his next political move ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His absence has now drawn a stern warning from Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who insists that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) remains the only political home capable of safeguarding Orengo’s political future.
Wandayi urged the Siaya governor to return to ODM, cautioning that failure to do so could leave him politically isolated and eventually forgotten in Siaya for good. He argued that ODM’s grassroots structures and loyal support base in the region remain unmatched, and that leaving them would be a risky gamble.
The remarks highlight the deepening rivalry between ODM loyalists and the emerging Linda Mwananchi movement, as both camps jostle for influence in Nyanza, long considered an ODM stronghold.
Political analysts note that Orengo’s decision could shape the region’s political landscape. Should he chart an independent course, he risks splitting the vote and testing his popularity outside the party that has defined his career. Returning to ODM, on the other hand, could shield him from a potentially costly defeat.
Orengo had not publicly responded to Wandayi’s remarks at the time of publishing. Observers say his next steps will be closely watched as parties position themselves for 2027.
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