BY VINCENT MANAAL
Siaya Governor James Orengo was a no-show during the Linda Mwananchi’s Naivasha retreat endorsed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as its presidential choice for the 2027 General Election.
The governor’s absence adds fuel to growing scrutiny over his political links with the Azimio la Umoja camp, which recently unveiled the Ukombozi Alliance after securing the controversial name that Sifuna’s allies had been pursuing for his presidential bid.
“Today, we met as the leadership of Linda Mwananchi and resolved to move forward together, united by a common purpose of answering the call of Kenyans seeking better governance and rescuing our country from the grave failures of the current administration,” Linda Mwananchi said in a statement.
Orengo and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi have both faced questions from Sifuna allies over their association with the Azimio leadership at a time when the battle for the Ukombozi name was escalating.
Orengo, who doubles up as Azimio coalition secretary-general, was present when Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his allies unveiled the rebranded Ukombozi Alliance.
Neither Orengo nor Caroli has publicly admitted to any role in efforts to block Sifuna from securing the Ukombozi name.
Orengo had until recently been one of the senior figures associated with Linda Mwananchi and had openly expressed interest in its presidential ticket.
After missing the Linda mwananchi rally, Orengo is Sunday expected to join former Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro for a planned political tour of Narok.
Matiang’i announced that the three would appear together for a church service and a meet-the-people tour in Narok on Sunday.
According to reports emerging from the Naivasha meeting, the Linda Mwananchi team settled on Sifuna as its presidential candidate, while agreeing to accommodate Babu Owino’s political vehicle through a coalition arrangement.
“We further resolved that H.E Edwin Watenya Sifuna is our leader and Presidential Candidat,” the Linda Mwananchi statement reads.
The development effectively closes the chapter in the contest between Sifuna and Orengo for control of the movement.
“We will seek to build a coalition with like-minded parties that share our commitment to the people of Kenya.”
The understanding seeks to end the bitter disagreement over the party to be used in the 2027 contest.
Babu has previously insisted that his Mwananchi Party should retain its identity, while supporting Sifuna for the presidency.
He then proposed a coalition in which Sifuna would lead his own party while he retains control of his outfit, allowing the two formations to operate together under the broader Linda Mwananchi umbrella.
The Naivasha decision now hands Sifuna the political upper hand within the movement, with several senior figures having already publicly rallied behind his presidential bid.
It also leaves Orengo facing a new political equation after his attempt to secure the Linda Mwananchi ticket encountered resistance from leaders who had already coalesced around Sifuna.
Orengo had previously argued that competing presidential ambitions should be subjected to a credible process before the movement settled on one candidate.
But the Naivasha endorsement means the movement has now moved decisively towards Sifuna, even as Orengo charts a separate path with other opposition figures.
