Siaya Governor James Orengo has backed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i for president in 2027, Capital FM reported. He spoke on Sunday at an ACK church in Kisii. He urged the Kisii community to unite behind Matiang'i and called him a national leader.
Orengo praised the way Matiang'i worked with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He said Odinga regarded the former Interior CS as a son. "From now on, I am available to Fred Matiang'i so that we can walk together," Orengo said.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, leader of the People's Party of Kenya (PPK), also attended. He accused President William Ruto of disrespecting former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Nyoro urged Ruto to stop verbally attacking other leaders. He named Matiang'i, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Matiang'i called Kenya a democratic country and brushed off what appeared to be attempts to intimidate him. "You told me not to come to Kisii town. I am here. Come and beat me," he said. He also said the opposition was united. Its goal, he said, was to make sure Ruto serves only one term.
The endorsement widens Orengo's split with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. Orengo had earlier said he wanted the Linda Mwananchi movement's presidential ticket. He pushed for an open nomination rather than an automatic endorsement of Sifuna. The two met on September 4 to ease tensions. On September 13, Orengo joined Sifuna at a Linda Mwananchi mobilisation event in Nairobi.
Orengo then missed a Linda Mwananchi principals' retreat on September 26, where the movement endorsed Sifuna as its presidential candidate. Members said he had sent apologies because he was attending to an ailing family member. He also skipped the official launch of the movement's political vehicle on October 30.
Capital FM linked his absence to his focus on building his own Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He plans to use the party to defend his seat as Siaya governor.