The United Opposition steered by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka have earmarked Siaya Governor James Orengo as a potential principal in the camp to tap into the Luo Nyanza support.
Sources within the camp intimated to the Weekly Review that Mr Orengo is a key target for the opposition team owing to his political experience and firm stand on the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) relationship with the broad-based government.
As Kenya’s political class recalibrates ahead of the 2027 elections, Governor Orengo has quietly emerged as a potential kingmaker to the opposition team—and perhaps the Nyanza region’s best bet in the jostling for a stake in the post-Raila Odinga political order.
In what is increasingly being seen as a turning point, sources in the opposition fold revealed that Governor Orengo is now being considered for a co-principal position in the emerging opposition coalition. This is a broad alliance that brings together Mr Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party’s Martha Karua , DAP-Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi and former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party, which is represented by ex-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Delicate political gamble
Yet, for Mr Orengo, joining such a coalition would also be a delicate political gamble, should Nyanza region choose to stick with President William Ruto in the broad-based framework.
ODM interim leader Dr Oburu Oginga has asserted that the region’s political future remains open, and that the party will not settle for anything less than the DP’s seat in the 2027 elections.
Wiper Party Leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo on November 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Mr Orengo, one of the closest allies of former ODM leader Raila Odinga who died in India on October 15 while receiving treatment, has thrown a spanner in the works by hinting that they may work with Mr Musyoka in the 2027 presidential election.
In what appears to be a gesture of gratitude towards a man who stood by Odinga when he contested the presidency, some family members believe that Mr Kalonzo is the one who can be trusted to continue the fallen leader’s legacy. Odinga’s younger sister and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, Odinga’s widow, Ida Odinga, and Mr Orengo appear to share that line of thought.
This could be a blow to President Ruto, who hopes to inherit Odinga’s supporters following the deal between the two leaders that gave birth to the broad-based government.
The visit was both personal and symbolic: a pilgrimage to honour a man whom Mr Musyoka described as “a brother, a comrade in the trenches, and the much-anticipated Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Kenya”.
An emotional Mr Musyoka recounted the turbulent years he had spent with Odinga fighting for democratic reforms, social justice and good governance.
He also seized the moment to seek the Odinga family's and his supporters' backing in the 2027 presidential race. He asked the Orange party to remain independent and maintain its strength.
"The greatest respect we can show Raila Odinga, as members of ODM, is to ensure that no one claims they will 'look after ODM” on his behalf. I was shocked to hear such statements. ODM is a grassroots mass movement, just as the Wiper Democratic Movement is. And let it be clear: Raila Odinga did not dissolve Azimio," Mr Musyoka said, alluding to remarks by Dr Ruto during the former premier’s burial on October 19.
“Raila did not break Azimio. If there is anyone who can be entrusted to uphold his legacy and ensure the name of Raila Odinga leaves on, it is Kalonzo Musyoka. ODM, remember that I am here. I am the best to partner with, not the others,” he added.
Kisumu Woman Representative Ms Odinga said Mr Kalonzo was a true friend of Baba and the family. She termed as nonsense, the “people who now think they were closer to Raila than Kalonzo.”
“Raila was Kalonzo’s best friend, and the two really looked after Kenya. A warrior can only choose another warrior to go to battle with. Why Raila kept working with Kalonzo is because he knew he was the best warrior he could choose,” said Ms Odinga.
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka drives a herd of cattle into the compound of the late Raila Odinga in Bondo, on November 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
She said that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has not collapsed, meaning that ODM could still work with Wiper.
Governor Orengo lauded the former vice-president, calling him a true friend of Odinga who walked diligently with him in his political journey.
“I have been in many meetings where people were discussing who was going to be the presidential candidate. Three times, Kalonzo said, ‘I am leaving for you my brother, Raila,’ in 2013, 2017 and 2022. If there is a principled man in Kenya like Raila, it is Kalonzo Musyoka,” said Mr Orengo.
Mr Orengo also said that ODM should not allow itself to be swallowed by other major parties, as it will weaken its strength.
“Let us not experiment. Let us not kill political parties. As ODM, we should not make that mistake. We need a strong ODM — not controlled by anyone in power, but guided by the laws of the land,” the Siaya governor said.
Mama Ida and Embakasi South Member of Parliament Musili Mawathe both called for Mr Kalonzo’s support. ODM and Azimio supporters were implored to rally behind him as “the natural political heir to Raila Odinga’s legacy.”
“Kalonzo has been a friend of Baba for many years, and that friendship cannot be wiped out. In politics, there are no enemies. If someone belongs to a different party, he or she is not your enemy. Don’t fight people who are not in your party,” Mama Ida Odinga said.
She called for unity and the protection of democratic ideals. She said that her husband always sought to bring people together across political lines.
“Let’s fight for democracy for our country, and for all Kenyans. And I ask my big brother — Raila used to call him (Kalonzo) my brother Steve — to carry the whole country, not just the Akamba people alone. And today you have demonstrated that. I have seen leaders from the Luo community in your delegation. Let’s move forward together as one nation,” she said.
Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda stated that the partnership that has existed between the Luo community and Mr Musyoka is one that cannot be taken for granted.
He said the relationship has not died despite Odinga and Mr Musyoka parting ways politically after the 2022 elections. The MP said the community is indebted to Mr Musyoka.
“Your relationship with Raila has always been one that can never be doubted, and that is why we value you as a political creditor. When we are on the table of negotiation for repayment of our creditors, I want to believe you have space,” said Dr Ochanda.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said that Mr Kalonzo has walked together with the Odinga family and ODM politically. The senator said it was genuine friendship.
“Baba was clear about where this country should go. He did not mince his words. I thank God I have had the privilege of sitting in very high-level meetings courtesy of Kalonzo and Raila. I know all the friends that Odinga had. One man who was a true leader and friend is Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka,” Mr Wambua said.
“This man here has the blessing of his former boss, Raila, to take this country to the next level. There is a meeting that took place between Orengo, the leaders and I. We know what was said. Raila belongs to all of us, not a few people”
For his part, Embakasi East MP Julius Mawathe said that supporting Mr Kalonzo is not just about politics, but about honouring Odinga’s wishes and their long-standing friendship.
“As Wiper Party, we walked with Baba for many years. Odinga was our Baba, and Kalonzo was our small Baba. Now that Baba has left us with the small Baba, don’t come here telling us who spoke to whom. We know where we came from, and we know that Raila Odinga loved us in the Wiper Party,” he said.
But Odinga’s step-brother, Mr Omondi Odinga, asked Mr Musyoka to join the broad-based government, a proposal that did not go down well with the delegation from Ukambani. Shinyalu MP Fredrick Ikana said everyone is welcome to join the government, an offer Mr Kalonzo has repeatedly turned down.
Reporting by Rushdie Oudia, Kassim Adinasi, Shaban Makokha, Dominic Ombok and Justus Ochieng’
