Siaya Governor James Orengo is emerging as one of the most vocal figures in the anti-government movement in the post-Raila Odinga era.
The fiery multiparty democracy champion is once again positioning himself as a leading advocate of public dissent as Kenya enters a crucial week marking the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests.
As Thursday's commemoration of those who lost their lives during the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations approaches, Mr Orengo has been increasingly outspoken, portraying himself as the face of the Linda Mwananchi movement, a breakaway faction within ODM.
The June 25 memorial has been organised by families, relatives and friends of those killed during the anti-government demonstrations that culminated in protesters breaching Parliament grounds on June 25, 2024, in opposition to the Finance Bill, 2024.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) placed the death toll from the protests at 60.
Families of victims of police brutality and human rights activists joined leaders display portraits of individuals allegedly killed during police operations as they participate in a solidarity march in Nairobi on June 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation
Last week, Mr Orengo was joined by politicians Gitobu Imanyara, Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, among others, in formally notifying the police of the planned demonstrations on Thursday.
“We officially petitioned and notified the Inspector General of Police of a peaceful nationwide march on June 25th, 2026. We invite all Kenyans mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends to march to Parliament to demand justice and lay flowers where our children’s lives were cruelly taken," said Mr Orengo.
“Abduction, police killing and brutality, extra judicial killings are continuing and that is why It is crucial and that is why we are having the June 25 memorials. We have asked the state to declare June 25th to be a public holiday but we don’t need to ask for permission, it will be a holiday,” added Mr Orengo.
The governor said the President should publicly declare that any shoot-to-kill order is unconstitutional, insisting that the current regime must leave office in 2027 through the ballot.
Mr Orengo has also dismissed the Sh2 billion compensation package for protest victims announced by President William Ruto last week, arguing that human life is priceless.
“President Ruto's administration has reduced the sanctity of human life and dignity to a predetermined monetary figure and normalised state violence rather than preventing it. The reparations program and the amount of Sh2 billion is insufficient to compensate victims of human rights violations,” said Mr Orengo.
Speaking in Narok over the weekend, Mr Orengo said the current administration was on its deathbed, accused it of violating human rights, and vowed to continue fighting for Kenyans.
“This is a government that is going away and next year there will be a new government. Kenyans should stand up and be proud of their nation because you belong to the best,” said Mr Orengo at a funeral in Narok County, where he urged the Maasai community to defend its land rights.
“I’m the defector leader of ODM and I belong to Linda Mwananchi and our Mps said NO to the finance bill. I know how to be in government and many have gone and left me behind. Being in government doesn’t guarantee you anything, you must fight for your rights. Why would you be in government when you are losing your land rights,” added Mr Orengo.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, PLP leader Martha Karua, former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, and other leaders walk alongside families of victims of police brutality during a march from Sarova Stanley to Jogoo House, Nairobi, on June 18, 2026. The delegation delivered a notification to the Inspector General of Police ahead of a Day of Remembrance honoring victims of police violence and extrajudicial killings.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah accused Mr Orengo of misleading Kenyans, saying he should pursue dialogue instead of encouraging demonstrations.
“Orengo is telling people to go and cause chaos in Nairobi. While I was in the University of Nairobi when I was a youth, Orengo was demonstrating, now he is 75 years old. He is still demonstrating. His politics of incitement and scavenging to ignite chaos on June 25 wouldn’t succeed,” said Mr Ichung’wah.
“Instead of mourning in unity they are citing violence in our country. We are telling you never again will Kenyans lose their lives because of the politics of people like Orengo,” added Mr Ichung’wah while speaking in Molo over the weekend.
President Ruto has already warned those planning to demonstrate not to interfere with the rights of other citizens conducting their normal business activities.
"The one thing that is not going to happen is that people will be mobilised to destroy property or to cause chaos or mayhem. That will not happen," President Ruto said last Friday in Nairobi.
In his Nyanza backyard, several ODM leaders have urged Mr Orengo to demonstrate alone, arguing that the region has suffered significant loss of life and property during previous protests.
"We have seen those who are saying even if the Finance Bill is good they will still demonstrate. Here in Nyanza we wouldn’t demonstrate. We have gone to the streets for too many years. Let others also demonstrate,” said Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga on Saturday.
“We are seeing old men who started demonstrating in the 1970s (Orengo) are the one planning demonstration and not Geb Z again,” said National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed.
Beyond becoming the face of the demonstrations, Governor Orengo has also eclipsed ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna as the most visible figure within the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Nasa leader Raila Odinga addresses a rally at Mama Ngina drive in Mombasa on October 15, 2017. Nasa will hold parallel Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kisumu County to remember those who were killed and injured during anti-IEBC protests.
Photo credit: FIle | Nation
He has been receiving delegations at his office in a style reminiscent of the late Mr Odinga. Among those he has welcomed into the movement are former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo, former Mugirango MP Omingo Magara, ODM Narok County chairman Torome Nalengoyo and Samir Shahbal, son of EALA MP and businessman Suleiman Shahbal.
Mr Orengo is one of the longest-serving politicians from Nyanza, having first entered Parliament in 1979 at the age of 28. In recent months, he has been engaged in a supremacy battle with ODM leader Oburu Oginga over the management and future direction of the party following Raila Odinga's diminished role in active opposition politics.
At the national level, Mr Orengo has also declared his intention to run for president and maintains that he is the acting leader of ODM.
“Orengo is fighting to be the Luo kingpin and wants to be seen as the spokesperson of the community and the face of leaders who are anti-government. That is his main target,” says political analyst Lumala Masibo.
