Siaya Governor James Orengo’s recent political moves have triggered fresh debate inside the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with Narok Senator Ledama Olekina accusing him of reviving a long-running power struggle that dates back to the early 1990s.

In a post on his X account on Monday, April 27, 2026, Ledama claimed Orengo was “running a ghost play from 1994” and trying to position himself as a key figure in the party’s future leadership after the death of Raila Odinga.

He linked Orengo’s current political posture to earlier attempts to influence the succession of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Raila’s father, arguing that the same pattern of ambition and resistance has followed Orengo for decades.

“James Orengo is running a ghost play from 1994, attempting to seize the ODM mantle in the wake of Raila’s death just as he tried, and failed to claim it following Jaramogi’s passing,” Ledama wrote.

He further argued that challenges to the Odinga political family from within their own circle tend to follow a familiar cycle, which eventually ends in containment by the party structure and its senior leadership.

ODM leadership tensions deepen

His remarks come at a time when Orengo has taken a more outspoken role within ODM, declaring himself a “people’s party leader” during a recent political address in Kisumu. He accused parts of the party leadership of weakening ODM and drifting away from the ideals of the late Raila Odinga.

Orengo also aligned himself with the Linda Mwananchi faction, which has held a series of rallies across the country. At a gathering in Vihiga County, senior leaders including Senators Edwin Sifuna and Godfrey Osotsi openly endorsed him as a preferred leader within the party.

The endorsement marked a clear split in tone within ODM, with one group rallying behind Orengo’s reformist message while another section, including Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, warned against what they viewed as attempts to undermine the party’s formal leadership structure.

Atandi urged restraint and said no individual should declare themselves party leader outside established processes.

Oburu Oginga also dismissed Orengo’s claims to the ODM leadership, saying he would not be pressured into stepping down and insisting that his mandate was legitimate and properly given by party members. He sharply rejected Orengo’s self-declaration, saying no individual could appoint themselves party leader outside party structures.

“I don’t care whether somebody goes and declares himself party leader… you can be a party leader of the trees… you can be a party leader of the birds… but you’re certainly not the party leader of ODM,” Oburu said, reinforcing his position as the recognised party leader amid growing internal disputes.

In his earlier remarks, Orengo warned that the party risked losing its identity if it failed to manage internal divisions and external political pressure. He insisted that ODM must remain strong and not become a junior partner in broader political arrangements.

“We must ensure that ODM remains strong, independent, and true to its founding ideals,” he said.

Ledama’s latest comments add another layer to the growing internal debate, framing Orengo’s recent political positioning as part of a long-standing struggle over influence within the Odinga political legacy.