Siaya Governor James Orengo / FILE Siaya Governor James Orengo is set to unveil his own political party as divisions within Linda Mwananchi deepen ahead of next year's general elections.
Orengo has emerged as the latest senior opposition figure preparing to launch a political outfit, just days before Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna unveils his own party amid uncertainty over the movement’s political future.
The Star has established that Orengo is preparing to unveil the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), an outfit previously associated with former prime minister Raila Odinga.
Some sources, however, said the name could change but confirmed that the governor had acquired a political vehicle that he intends to use ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development comes barely two days before Sifuna is expected to unveil his own outfit, further exposing the political uncertainty surrounding Linda Mwananchi.
Already, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and his Saboti counterpart Caleb Amisi, both Linda Mwananchi founding members, have launched their own parties.
Babu has unveiled the Mwananchi Party, while Amisi launched the People's Renaissance Movement (PM).
Initially, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya had indicated that Sifuna would use the United Democratic Party (UDP) as his political vehicle for a presidential bid.
However, some party officials have since filed an objection to Sifuna's takeover of the outfit associated with former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.
Other sources have suggested that the Kenya National Alliance could be Sifuna's political vehicle.
The party has been linked to Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, although the lawmaker has denied owning a political party.
“I don’t have a party. Those are rumours,” Osotsi told The Star.
The developments come days after Linda Mwananchi formally endorsed Sifuna as its presidential candidate, effectively closing the door on Orengo's previously stated ambition to compete for the movement's ticket.
“We further resolved that H.E. Edwin Watenya Sifuna is our leader and presidential candidate,” Linda Mwananchi said after last week's retreat in Naivasha.
Orengo was conspicuously absent from the September 26 retreat where Sifuna was endorsed as the movement's presidential flag bearer.
Members of the movement said the governor had sent his apologies because he was attending to a sick family member.
His absence, however, raised questions about his next political move as Sifuna moved to consolidate control of Linda Mwananchi and prepare to unveil his own party.
Orengo had publicly expressed interest in the movement's presidential ticket. He argued that competing ambitions should be subjected to a credible process before a candidate was picked.
Sources within the governor's camp have now confirmed to The Star that Orengo is preparing to unveil LDP as he repositions himself ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Yes, we are launching our party and it is just a matter of time before it is made public,” a source told The Star.
An associate at Orengo's law firm, J.A.B Orengo Advocates, also confirmed the governor would unveil LDP in an X post.
“H.E Governor James Orengo will be unveiling his political party, this is the vehicle that shall be used in his presidential bid,” Joshua Ayika posted.
According to the source, Orengo has already acquired the party and it is the same vehicle that will be submitted to the IEBC.
The party, The Star has been told, combines blue and
white colours and uses the initials LDP.
It also features a flywhisk on Raila's trademark hat and carries the slogan “Mbele Pazuri”, loosely translated as “Future is bright”.
“We shall launch the party in under one week,” the Orengo associate said in confidence.
Orengo will make a second attempt at the presidency through LDP, which he could also deploy as a bargaining vehicle in wider opposition negotiations.
Orengo first ran for president in 2002 under the Social Democratic Party before becoming one of the key figures in the opposition.
The governor remains strategically positioned
in the wider opposition architecture.
He has been earmarked to serve as national chairperson of the Ukombozi Alliance, the coalition being spearheaded by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka following the reorganisation of the Azimio coalition.
Instant analysis
Orengo’s move to secure his own political vehicle exposes the widening fault lines within Linda Mwananchi as senior leaders prepare separate paths to the 2027 elections. Sifuna’s endorsement as the movement’s presidential candidate has narrowed space for competing ambitions, pushing Orengo and other key figures towards alternative parties. With Sifuna yet to settle on his own vehicle, the scramble underlines the uncertainty over Linda Mwananchi’s future and whether it can hold together as a united opposition platform.
