NAIROBI, Kenya – People’s Renaissance Movement (PM Party) leader Caleb Amisi has dismissed Siaya Governor James Orengo’s push to be named the Linda Mwananchi presidential candidate in the Tuesday, August 10, 2027, elections.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the PM Party headquarters in Nairobi, Amisi said that a lot of young people in Kenya believe that the youth must take over the stage.
“My response to this off-the-cuff question is that Orengo can go ahead and vie under the Linda Mwananchi or whichever formation he wishes, as it is his democratic right. But it was the wish of the youth that he stay back and mentor us into achieving the call for our generational duty, economic liberation,” said Amisi.
Speaking at separate Linda Mwananchi rallies over the weekend, Orengo declared that he was going to run for the presidency through the Linda Mwananchi political formation.
“My declaration is not a crime. In 2007, there was what was called the Pentagon within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), not outside the party. The five people who constituted the Pentagon were all presidential candidates,” said Orengo.
Linda Mwananchi is a democratic space
While reacting to Orengo’s announcement, Mary Kathomi, a political analyst at Linda Mwananchi, observed that there was nothing wrong if the firebrand politician faces off with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the ODM breakaway faction presidential ticket.
“As things stand, many Kenyans have quietly anointed Edwin Sifuna as the presidential candidate for Linda Mwananchi. I think it might look like confusion, but it’s the democratic space that we have in Linda Mwananchi. And you remember, even in ODM when Raila used to encourage members of ODM, they could push themselves up as presidential candidates,” said Kathomi.
Kathomi indicated that for Orengo to come forward and declare he wants to be the presidential candidate of Linda Mwananchi is no offence.
“I would look at it as a democratic space where people are free to express themselves. The good thing he (Orengo) didn’t say is getting out of Linda Mwananchi. But it is so clear already, you know; definitely, with the political party coming up, there’s all that process: filling up positions, having a party leader, having an SG, and having a presidential candidate. There’s going to be the political process of it. So there’s nothing wrong if they’re going to face each other internally in the party over who is going to be the presidential candidate,” she added.
Already, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga and digital communication strategist Pauline Njoroge, who officially joined the Linda Mwananchi movement in July 2026 after resigning from her position in the Jubilee Party, are among notable opposition leaders who have publicly poured water on Orengo’s bid.
Glamour for generational change
Amisi, who doubles as the Saboti MP, said that, as opposition leaders, they give Orengo his flowers for the past struggles.
“There is nobody we owe the presidency to in this Republic of Kenya. We do not owe anybody the seat of president. It is only that in the time we are living in, a lot of young people believe that the youth must take over the stage. The claim is for a generational change. The claim is that you people have been there; you fought in the first liberation, you fought in the second liberation, and you fought in the third liberation. This is the fourth liberation. The youth are kindly asking, “Please allow us to lead this liberation.” It is a simple question by the youth, and if they have chosen Sifuna, so be it. If Sifuna refuses, the youth will choose somebody else, but they will not leave this call of their youths,” explained Amisi.
Meanwhile, Orengo, who says that he has the experience, exposure, tough skin, resources and academic acumen to face President William Ruto and deliver a first-round victory, maintains that by declaring his interest in the Linda Mwananchi presidential bid, he is not spoiling for anyone.
“I’m committed to the fact that we must have one presidential candidate. So those, those who raise these fears, are not democrats,” he added.
He also disclosed that the issue of the presidential candidate was brought up as an agenda recently within the Linda Mwananchi circles.
“And I said it was inappropriate at that time that it needed more consultation. And some people are unhappy about that,” he said.
Governor Natembeya reacts to Orengo’s aspirations
While speaking in Migori County, the Siaya governor, who has maintained that he is the best-suited person to fly the Linda Mwananchi presidential flag come 2027, lauded former ODM leader Raila Odinga (deceased) for what he said was opening up Kenya’s democratic space.
“I want to say this without any fear. Raila brought democracy in Kenya, and democracy means that anybody is ready and is assured to contest elections in the party that he chooses. And parties should not impose candidates on anybody. That is not democracy,” Orengo fired back at his critics.
But Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya emphasised that the question of who will fly the Linda Mwananchi presidential flag has already been answered.
“In every political conversation, in every meeting that we go to, you hear people saying, uh, ‘Sisi ndio Sifuna.’ It will be difficult for any other person to go there as Linda Mwananchi’s presidential candidate,” Governor Natembeya explained.
Interestingly, a section of Linda Mwananchi’s top leadership, led by Babu Owino, Kalasinga, and Governor Natembeya, endorsed Sifuna over the weekend in Meru. They asked Orengo to stop bringing confusion to the movement they said he joined the other day.
Linda Mwananchi confronted with power struggles
And now, the declaration by the Siaya county boss of his intention to run for the presidency has raised concerns over power struggles within the Linda Mwananchi faction with exactly one year to the polls.
Orengo, who is regarded as the senior-most political leader in the Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi, made clear his intentions barely a day before the faction’s Meru rally, which happened on Sunday.
However, his announcement places Linda Mwananchi at a crossroads, with supporters believing that Sifuna, the de facto leader of the outfit, would be the automatic flag bearer of Linda Mwananchi.
Currently, Linda Mwananchi is embroiled in a battle with another party, claiming ownership of another party with the word Linda.
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