By Valentine Omondi
Siaya Governor James Orengo has defended his decision to seek the Linda Mwananchi presidential ticket, dismissing claims that his ambition was aimed at undermining Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Orengo confirmed that he is in the race for the coalition’s presidential nomination alongside Sifuna, who has already declared his interest in the 2027 presidency.
The veteran politician said Linda Mwananchi must allow internal competition before settling on a single presidential candidate, arguing that seeking the ticket is not an act of sabotage.
“I am going to run for president, which is not a crime,” Orengo said in an interview with Citizen TV.
He rejected suggestions that his entry into the contest was intended to derail Sifuna’s ambitions, insisting that he remains committed to the opposition outfit eventually presenting one candidate.
“I am not spoiling it, because I am committed to having one presidential candidate,” he said, adding that those opposed to internal competition were not democrats.
Veteran politician with previous presidential experience
Orengo’s entry into the race carries significant political weight, given his long career in Kenyan politics and his previous attempt to capture the presidency.
He first entered Parliament in 1980 through a by-election in Ugenya Constituency, becoming the youngest MP in the country at the time. He later returned to Parliament in the multiparty era and has held several senior political positions, including serving as Minister for Lands and Settlement.
In 2002, Orengo made his first presidential bid as the Social Democratic Party candidate, placing him among the few current political leaders with direct experience of running for Kenya’s top office.
His political career has largely been rooted in opposition politics, spanning the multiparty struggle of the 1990s and subsequent opposition coalitions. He has also served as Siaya Senator before becoming governor in 2022.
The experience is now likely to form part of his argument for why he should be considered for the Linda Mwananchi ticket, as he seeks to challenge a younger Sifuna for the nomination.
Disagreement over flagbearer
Orengo also disclosed that the question of Linda Mwananchi’s presidential candidate had already caused friction among the coalition’s principals during a retreat in Limuru, Kiambu County.
He said the issue was introduced to the agenda, but he opposed making a decision at that stage, arguing that more consultations were necessary.
“The issue of a presidential candidate was brought as an agenda, but I said it was inappropriate at that time and that it needed more consultation. Some people were unhappy about that,” he said.
The disagreement has since become more pronounced as Sifuna continues to build momentum for his presidential bid.
During Linda Mwananchi’s Meru tour on Sunday, August 30, Sifuna received public backing from Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, while Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale called on Orengo to support Sifuna’s bid and allow younger leaders to take over the political mantle.
The Meru tour was also disrupted by teargas as the movement continued its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Orengo’s declaration introduces a new dimension to the coalition’s search for a presidential candidate. While Sifuna has been building support around his bid, Orengo is relying on decades of political experience and his own history of seeking the presidency to make a case for the ticket.
The central question now is whether Linda Mwananchi can accommodate the competing ambitions and still emerge with a united presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
