Siaya Governor James Orengo has declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 General Election, ending months of speculation over his political plans.
Orengo made the announcement on Friday in Homa Bay County, where he attended the burial of Steven Onyango, son of Linda Mwananchi advocate Newton Ogada.
The declaration came as Orengo joined Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang' and former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga to stand with the bereaved family.
In a statement after the burial, Orengo linked his political ambitions to what he described as the long history of democratic struggle associated with the Luo community.
“The Luo nation has long been the beating heart of Kenya’s democratic struggle, paying the ultimate price in the pursuit of justice and good governance,” he said.
He cited former political leaders Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Tom Mboya and Argwings Kodhek, as well as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom he said had placed the interests of the country above themselves.
“Leaders like Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Tom Mboya, Argwings Kodhek, and the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga consistently placed the nation above themselves,” Mr Orengo said.
He said he intended to continue with what he described as their political legacy.
“Following in their footsteps, I offer my unyielding commitment to this legacy, refusing compromise and striving to fulfill the vision of our forefathers as we rise to the top,” he said.
Orengo's declaration comes as he takes a leading role in the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has been holding rallies in different parts of the country.
Earlier this month, the governor announced that Linda Mwananchi would be converted into a political party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the proposed party would be national in character and would not be restricted to one region.
“We will launch the party, which will be the party for all Kenyans from Kisumu to Mombasa,” Orengo said.
He also said the movement would seek to produce a president for the whole country.
“In 2027, we are going to elect a president for Kenya, not a president for any region,” he said.
Orengo has been critical of the cooperation between President William Ruto's administration and sections of the Orange Democratic Movement.
He has argued that the opposition should maintain its independence and criticised what he regards as the weakening of ODM through its engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
His latest declaration comes at a time when the political landscape in Nyanza is undergoing changes following the death of Mr Odinga.
Orengo has repeatedly invoked Mr Odinga's political legacy while campaigning with Linda Mwananchi.
At a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay earlier this month, he told supporters: “I am the remaining Raila.”
The governor has also used his public appearances to criticise the Ruto administration, particularly over governance and the Constitution.
On Friday, he continued to associate his political position with the reform tradition, saying leaders of previous generations had made sacrifices in the pursuit of a better country.
He said the contribution of the Luo community to Kenya's democratic struggle could not be separated from the country's broader political history.
Orengo's announcement came days before Linda Mwananchi is scheduled to hold another rally in Meru on Sunday.
The movement has been expanding its activities beyond Nyanza, with organisers holding rallies and meetings in Western Kenya, the Coast, Rift Valley and parts of the Mount Kenya region.
The Meru meeting will be held in the political backyard of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, adding another stop to the movement's campaign to establish a national grassroots presence.
MOrengo has been among the senior leaders accompanying the movement during its countrywide activities.
The governor was also present during the controversial Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on August 16, which was disrupted by violence.
He had earlier insisted that the rally would proceed despite reports of attempts to stop the meeting.
Mr Orengo invoked constitutional freedoms of movement, association, expression and peaceful assembly in defending the group's decision to proceed.
The movement later accused political actors and security agencies of interfering with its activities, allegations that have not been established.
Orengo has nevertheless continued to support the mobilisation programme.
His presidential declaration now places him directly in the race for the 2027 presidency and leaves open the question of whether Linda Mwananchi will become the political vehicle for his bid.
For the governor, the immediate message is that his decision to seek the presidency is rooted in what he describes as a continuation of the country's long struggle for democracy and good governance.
“I offer my unyielding commitment to this legacy,” he said.
