Orengo now declares himself the 'people’s party leader' of ODM

Siaya Governor James Orengo now says he is the “people’s party leader” within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), accusing the current party leadership of soiling the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.

Speaking in Kisumu on Friday, Orengo claimed that the Linda Mwananchi faction remains the last “steady wheel” holding together the Orange party, which he said is under growing threat from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

This as Kisumu County is bracing for a major political showdown this Sunday as the Linda Mwananchi team shifts into high gear ahead of a closely watched rally in the lakeside city, setting the stage for a tense weekend of political mobilisation across the region.

Orengo insisted that Linda Mwananchi is a corrective movement within the Orange party, aimed at safeguarding its unity amid what he describes as growing external interference.

“ODM is being sold to our political enemies so I will stand firm…Orengo is the people’s party leader within ODM to make sure ODM is not swallowed, and secondly to make sure that the legacy and the achievements of Raila Amollo Odinga are not destroyed,” he said.

With Linda Mwananchi rallies lined up for both Saturday and Sunday, the political heat continues to build, with leaders maintaining that they will not be intimidated by any threats of disruption, insisting the meetings will proceed as planned.

“This is a tsunami…this is a people’s movement…and we come in peace and we preach the language of peace. Linda Mwananchi is a caucus and a group and a movement within the ODM party,” added Orengo.

Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Samuel Atandi has urged restraint, cautioning against any perceived disrespect towards ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga.

Speaking at a separate event in Kisumu, Atandi called on residents to accompany him to the Sunday Linda Mwananchi rally.

“I want to welcome our guests but I want to tell them that they must come to Kisumu, with an agenda for the people of Kisumu. If you come here to abuse our leaders, to declare some mediocre, even to declare yourself the party leader of ODM…that is illegal and we are not going to allow you,” he said.

The Linda Mwananchi campaign trail will be in Vihiga on Saturday before culminating in Kisumu on Sunday, in what is shaping up to be a defining political moment in the region.