Africa-Press – Kenya. Siaya Governor James Orengo has declared that he will henceforth take political direction on party matters from ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. This, as he expressed confidence that a growing political wave within the Orange Democratic Movement will spread across the country.
Speaking during a rally in Kakamega, Orengo said unity and discipline within the party leadership would be key as ODM positions itself for future political contests.
“Mambo ya chama mimi nitamsikiza tu Edwin Sifuna (On matters of the party, I will only listen to Edwin Sifuna),” Orengo told the crowd.
(Na mimi nasema hapa leo Kakamega hili vuguvugu nimeona leo litaenda Kenya yote.”
(And I want to say here today in Kakamega that the momentum I have seen here will spread across the whole of Kenya)
His remarks came even as ODM party leader Oburu Oginga leads a parallel faction within the camp. Oburu has declared that he would support UDA in the run-up to 2027, something the Orengo faction has rejected.
Orengo, a senior party figure and long-time ally of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga, also emphasised the importance of strong organisation and a unified message as political realignments begin to take shape.
The Kakamega event brought together several ODM leaders from the Western region and beyond, with speakers calling for the party to remain strong, focused and prepared to compete at the highest level in the next election cycle.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who spoke during the event, said ODM has a strong pool of leaders capable of vying for the presidency, pushing back against recent remarks by party leader Oburu Oginga on the party’s political ambitions.
He dismissed claims that the party is only interested in negotiating for junior positions, saying the party has enough leadership depth to field a presidential candidate in 2027.
“Oburu Oginga is telling us that ODM does not want the presidency and does not want the deputy presidency. We want to tell him today, here in Kakamega, that ODM has leaders who are more than qualified to be president,” Osotsi said.
Orengo’s endorsement of Sifuna’s leadership role in party affairs is also seen as a signal of confidence in the secretary-general, who has been at the centre of the party’s organisational and political messaging.
Sifuna, on his part, said they will take their campaigns to Mombasa after Ramadan. “Tumeombwa na ndugu zetu waislamu ya kwamba kwa sababu ya mambo ya Ramadan, tupumzike kidogo alafu tukimaliza Ramadan, tuende Mombasa,” he said.
The Siaya governor said the energy witnessed at the Kakamega meeting reflected growing enthusiasm among grassroots supporters. “This is not just an ordinary gathering. What we have seen here is a movement. The spirit here shows that our supporters are ready and energised,” he said.
Orengo urged party members to remain focused and avoid distractions, saying discipline and loyalty to party organs would be crucial in the coming period.
