Siaya Governor James Orengo has backed the Linda Mwananchi movement, saying it should evolve into a national political party capable of carrying on the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.
Speaking at a political gathering, Orengo said the Luo community had played a leading role in Kenya’s struggle for independence and political reform and should continue to take an active role in shaping the country’s future.
He cited nationalist figures including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Tom Mboya and Achieng Oneko, saying generations of leaders from the community had made sacrifices for Kenya.
Orengo described Raila Odinga as one of the country’s greatest political figures and said his legacy should not be allowed to disappear.
He criticised President William Ruto’s relationship with the political movement associated with Odinga, arguing that the opposition should not accept the idea of the president as a close ally of the late opposition leader.
“If Ruto loved Raila the way he says he loved Raila, he could not kill the party founded by Raila,” Orengo said.
He said Linda Mwananchi would be transformed into a political party ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We are going to love this party. We will launch the party, which will be the party for all Kenyans from Kisumu to Mombasa,” he said.
Orengo said the movement would seek to build a national political organisation rather than one based on regional interests.
He called for opposition parties and groups sharing similar political values to work together to challenge President Ruto in 2027.
“We must, as an opposition, come together,” he said.
The governor also said the Luo community should not remain a follower within Kenya’s political alliances, arguing that its contribution to the country’s political struggles entitled it to play a leading role.
He said the movement would begin its political mobilisation in western Kenya, including Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu and Siaya, before expanding across the country.
Orengo also criticised the government’s long-term development plans, saying the immediate concerns of Kenyans should take precedence over distant targets.
He accused the government of failing to address the challenges facing young people and said Linda Mwananchi would instead focus on presenting an alternative vision for Kenya.
“We have talked too much about what is wrong with Kenya. We must now talk about what we are going to do to make Kenya a better nation,” he said.
Orengo said he would make himself available for interviews on radio and television in the coming weeks to explain the movement’s plans and policies.
He said Linda Mwananchi’s ultimate objective was to produce a national leadership that would uphold the Constitution and protect the Bill of Rights.
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