Siaya Governor James Orengo has broken his silence with a renewed call for opposition unity, saying the push for political change must be anchored on a common agenda and the selection of a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, October 1, Orengo said he supported the struggle for change and confirmed that he was participating in the process through the launch of a political vehicle.
“I support the struggle for change which cannot be achieved without unity and positive political action. We are participating in this journey with the launch of a political vehicle and remain committed to opposition unity and identification of one presidential candidate,” he said.
Orengo also endorsed the Linda Mwananchi movement, declaring his continued commitment to its activities.
“We laud the Linda Mwanainchi success story and remain steadfast. Aluta continua!” he added.
The statement comes amid growing political activity within the opposition as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls and debate how to challenge President William Ruto.
Orengo is among the opposition figures seeking to establish a political vehicle of his own. His new party, expected to operate under the initials LDP, is set to be formally unveiled in October.
The party’s branding reportedly features blue and white colours, the initials LDP and a round hat. It also incorporates a fly whisk, a symbol closely associated with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and the slogan “Mbele Kuzuri”.
Orengo’s political plans have unfolded alongside the emergence of the Linda Mwananchi movement as a platform for opposition leaders seeking to build a national political alternative.
The governor was notably absent from the movement’s leadership retreat on September 26, where Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was endorsed as its leader and presidential candidate for the 2027 election. The movement also announced plans to unveil a political party through which Sifuna would contest the presidency.
Orengo has previously questioned the idea of automatically handing Sifuna the presidential ticket, insisting that competing ambitions should be resolved through a credible nomination process.
In an interview earlier in September, he said there was “nothing wrong with competing ambitions” as long as the process eventually produced one opposition candidate.
His latest statement appears to reaffirm his support for a united opposition while maintaining his own political plans.
Orengo, who first contested the presidency in 2002 under the Social Democratic Party, has yet to publicly clarify whether he intends to seek the presidency again in 2027 or pursue another role within the opposition coalition.
