Orengo lands in Kisumu ahead of Linda Mwananchi tour in Kakamega
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 20, 2026The Siaya Governor has touched down in Kisumu ahead of the much-anticipated Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi tour in Kakamega town.
The outspoken politician, who in recent times has been critical of the direction the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been taking, was seen alighting from a plane on Friday, February 20, 2026, afternoon, ready for the big day, when he, along with other ODM rebels, will hold tours in the Western region.
The governor was in a jovial mood as he and his team alighted from the aircraft.
James Orengo has been out in solidarity with the embattled ODM Secretary-General, who was recently ousted from his post but later reinstated by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT). Orengo termed Sifuna’s removal as part of an effort to silence those with differing opinions within the party.
The Linda Mwananchi team, led by Sifuna, including Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, and other MPs, will hold rallies on Saturday, February 21, 2026, starting in Mbale before climaxing at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega town.
Their sound caravan has already arrived in the region, painted with Linda Mwananchi colours and artwork. However, after reaching Kisumu in the Riat area, it was stoned by what Sifuna termed government-sponsored goons. He vowed, however, that their rally would go on as planned.
Orengo ODM feud
James Orengo has also been vocal about the direction the party is taking, particularly the decision by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to allow the party leader to enter into pre-coalition talks with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He argued that if ODM enters into a pact with UDA, it risks reducing the party to a Luo-centric party, stripping it of the national outlook that, according to him, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga fought to maintain.
Orengo has also voiced his dissatisfaction with the party’s decision not to field a presidential candidate in 2027, stating that ODM has the capacity to have its own candidate and should not enter into pacts with other parties that already have presidential aspirants.