The Linda Mwananchi movement has formally endorsed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as its presidential candidate, in a move that appears to close the door on Siaya Governor James Orengo’s bid for the same ticket.
Mr Orengo skipped Saturday’s retreat at which the endorsement was made despite having publicly declared his interest in competing for the movement’s presidential ticket.
Members of the movement said Mr Orengo sent his apologies because he was attending to a sick family member and insisted that his absence should not be interpreted as a sign of division.
But the endorsement of Mr Sifuna comes at a critical point for the opposition movement which had been expected to subject competing presidential ambitions to an agreed nomination process.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna (left) and Siaya Governor James Orengo during a high-level meeting of the Linda Mwananchi Political Formation in Nairobi on July 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Mr Orengo had maintained that opposition unity should not mean shutting down competing ambitions and had called for a credible process to determine the movement’s flag bearer.
“There is nothing wrong with competing ambitions within Linda Mwananchi or the opposition. What matters is that we subject all candidates to a credible nomination process and, at the end of it, we emerge with one candidate to face President William Ruto,” Mr Orengo said in a recent interview.
On Sunday, the Daily Nation sought to establish why Mr Orengo skipped the retreat and whether he supports the endorsement of Mr Sifuna, but he had not responded by the time of this story’s publication.
The county boss was on Sunday expected to join Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i and People’s Party of Kenya leader Ndindi Nyoro for a church service at Dominion Church Olerai before a public rally in Narok Town.
At the retreat, however, the movement’s principals resolved to rally behind Mr Sifuna as they pursue a broader opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Today (Saturday), we met as the leadership of Linda Mwananchi and resolved to move forward together, united by a common purpose of answering the call of Kenyans seeking better governance and rescuing our country from the grave failures of the current administration. We further resolved that Edwin Watenya Sifuna is our leader and Presidential Candidate,” the movement said in a statement.
The meeting was attended by Mr Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi.
Also present were Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo, Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo, former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo.
According to Dr Khalwale, Mr Orengo sent his apologies but those present proceeded to endorse Mr Sifuna as the movement’s flag bearer.
“Orengo sent his apologies but we all agreed that it's only Sifuna who will vie for the presidency and the issue is now settled. He has no chance now because all those present agreed on Sifuna’s candidature,” said Dr Khalwale.
The endorsement also brings to the fore the question of what happens to other presidential ambitions within the opposition, particularly Mr Orengo’s insistence on an open contest.
Mr Orengo had argued that a credible nomination process would give all aspirants a fair chance before the movement settled on one candidate.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addresses mourners during the burial of the late Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale, the wife of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, in Malinya, Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega County, on August 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Dr Khalwale said members had sought to persuade Mr Owino to run on the same political vehicle as Mr Sifuna in an effort to consolidate their political bases.
“The majority ruled him out but now the issue is up to him to decide because he stood his ground,” said Dr Khalwale.
Mr Owino has already registered The Mwananchi Party (TMP), which he intends to use in his bid for the Nairobi governorship.
His political plans have put him at odds with efforts to settle on a common vehicle for the movement, while Mr Natembeya has been pushing for Mr Sifuna to run on the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Last week, Mr Natembeya said Mr Sifuna was set to unveil UDP as his election vehicle.
An earlier attempt to rebrand UDP as Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP) stalled after Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka registered The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), effectively complicating the movement’s plans for the name.
The choice of an election vehicle has therefore become as important as the choice of candidate, with rival camps seeking to ensure that their political structures are not sidelined in the emerging opposition arrangement.
The movement said it would unveil its 2027 election vehicle in early October. Linda Mwananchi had earlier announced plans to unveil an outfit for Mr Sifuna’s presidential bid on October 3.
A senior official who attended Saturday’s meeting but declined to be named said Mr Orengo’s absence should not be read as a split within the movement.
“He (Orengo) said he couldn’t attend the meeting but we will be supporting Sifuna as everyone agreed. There are no divisions in the movement as being portrayed and we believe Orengo is with us in supporting Sifuna,” the official said.
The official also said preparations for the launch of Mr Sifuna’s political vehicle were at an advanced stage but declined to disclose details.
Mr Owino, in a statement after the retreat, also sought to project unity within the movement, saying the opposition’s broader objective could only be achieved through cooperation.
“We held a successful meeting with the Linda Mwananchi Principals to consolidate our bases, strengthen our cooperation, and reaffirm our shared commitment to working together,” said the MP.
“We agreed that achieving our common political objective requires unity, coordination, and a willingness to work together. By bringing our respective strengths and networks together, we can build a stronger and more united movement for the journey ahead,” Mr Owino said.
