Governor of Siaya County James Orengo has taken over the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), replacing Fred Ogola, who has expressed disappointment over the decision and questioned the direction the party has taken.
In a statement addressed to members of the LDP fraternity on October 6, Ogola said he had received the decision to replace him with Orengo with deep disappointment, describing the move as a betrayal after the work he said they had built together within the party.
“ I have received the decision to replace me with James Orengo with deep disappointment, but also with clarity. After everything we built together, this was a betrayal I never expected,” read part of the statement.
Ogola maintained that LDP was established as a political vehicle focused on Kenya’s future, particularly through young leadership, new ideas and merit, rather than what he described as a return to established political formations.
He also criticized the party’s decision to join the Ukombozi/Linda Mwananchi coalition, saying the move risked undermining LDP’s long-term goals in exchange for short-term political gains.
Fred Ogola compared the decision to boarding a ship after it had already run into trouble, arguing that the coalition could derail the vision and political agenda he had set out for the party.
Fred Ogola Defends His Political Vision
The former party leader said he had sought to advance what he described as “Solomonic Economics”, the EVOLVE Doctrine and a broader vision for Kenya’s Third Economic Liberation, which he said was intended to provide a political project extending beyond the 2027 General Election.
Ogola argued that his approach offered an alternative to what he viewed as recycled political ideas and the politics of previous generations, while positioning his vision around long-term economic and political transformation.
Fred Ogola also appeared to address LDP Secretary General Dennis Kodhe directly, accusing him of choosing the political direction associated with Orengo.
Addressing Dennis, Ogola said the decision represented a choice between two different political directions, with the party leadership opting for an approach he associated with the past.
“Dennis, you had a choice. You chose the past. I choose the future,” Ogola said.
Despite his removal from the party leadership, Ogola said he would continue his political journey and would not let the decision undermine his resolve.
“I have been betrayed, but I am not broken. I remain strong. I move on,” he said.
Ogola concluded by saying history would ultimately determine whether the party had made the right decision, while maintaining that his vision remained focused on building a different political future for Kenya.
How the LDP Leadership Dispute Between Fred Ogola and James Orengo Started
The current dispute over the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) follows James Orengo’s move to secure a political vehicle ahead of the 2027 General Election, after the Siaya governor missed the September 26 Linda Mwananchi retreat where Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was endorsed as the movement’s leader and presidential candidate.
Orengo later announced he would launch a political vehicle, while maintaining that he remained committed to opposition unity and the search for a single presidential candidate.
The development, however, was disputed by Prof. Fredrick Onyango Ogola, who had been presenting himself as LDP’s political leader and presidential candidate.
In a statement dated September 30, Fred Ogola rejected reports of a takeover, saying the party had not authorized any change in its leadership, branding or political position.
“Nobody can take over the party, or declare its support for any candidate or formation, without the party leader being consulted,” stated Ogola.
This created a dispute over control of the party, with reports indicating that Orengo had acquired LDP while Ogola continued to assert that he remained its leader and presidential candidate.
LDP is a political vehicle previously associated with the late Raila Odinga and Dennis Kodhe.
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