Siaya Governor James Orengo has responded after receiving a surprise and highly public endorsement from leaders aligned to the Linda Mwananchi faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), who declared him the party’s preferred leader during a rally in Vihiga County.

The endorsement was made on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at a charged political gathering in Luanda, where Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna openly backed Orengo for a senior leadership role within ODM, with some leaders going as far as referring to him as the party’s leader.

During the rally, Osotsi strongly endorsed Orengo, questioning the need for any alternative leadership figure within ODM and urging the party to rally behind him.

Orengo’s presidential endorsement

Osotsi also claimed that Orengo was ripe for the presidency.

“James Orengo si anatosha kuwa rais? Sasa kama tuko na Orengo, ni mzee mwingine mgani tunahitaji? Na mimi nataka kuunga mkono kuwa mheshimiwa Orengo wewe sasa ndio party leader wa ODM,” Osotsi said.

Senator Edwin Sifuna also reinforced the sentiment during his remarks, referring to Orengo as “our party leader”, further amplifying the political significance of the endorsement.

Orengo responds via official statement

In response, Orengo expressed appreciation for the endorsement, describing it as humbling and energising, while acknowledging the support extended to him by the Linda Mwananchi principals.

“Humbled by the powerful endorsement from the Linda Mwananchi Principals, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, and Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi,” Orengo said in a statement shared on his official X account.

He further thanked supporters who attended the rally in Vihiga, praising the turnout and describing it as a strong show of political unity and belief in a shared vision.

“To the people of Vihiga, your love was felt in every corner. Thank you for the massive reception and for believing in our shared vision. The march to a better future begins now. Tuko Tayari!” he added.

Momentum around Orengo’s leadership

The endorsement comes at a time when Orengo has been increasingly vocal about ODM’s internal direction and political identity, positioning himself as a strong voice within the party’s ideological and organisational debates.

In separate remarks earlier this week, Orengo described himself as a “people’s party leader” within ODM and warned against what he termed attempts to weaken the party’s independence.

He also raised concerns about internal dynamics, suggesting that the party must remain firm in its principles and resist external influence that could dilute its political standing.

The public endorsements and Orengo’s response now add to a growing internal conversation within ODM over leadership direction and future structure, particularly as senior figures increasingly make public declarations on succession matters.

While ODM has maintained and ratified the late Raila Odinga’s elder brother Oburu Odinga as the party leader, the visible alignment of influential leaders behind Orengo is expected to shape internal debates in the coming weeks.