Siaya Governor James Orengo has confirmed that former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo will contest the Nairobi Woman Representative seat in the 2027 General Election, throwing his full weight behind her candidacy as she formally enters the political arena under the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Orengo made the announcement on Saturday, June 20, after hosting Odhiambo at his office, ending weeks of public speculation over which elective seat the prominent lawyer would pursue.
In a statement, the governor praised Odhiambo’s record as a constitutional defender, citing her visible and vocal support for Gen Z protesters during the 2024 anti-government demonstrations as proof of her commitment to ordinary Kenyans.
“Faith Odhiambo is a proven defender of justice whose fearless stand for Gen Z and peaceful protestors showed the true meaning of leadership. Her bid for Nairobi Woman Representative comes at the perfect time. Nairobians deserve an incorruptible voice, and Faith is exactly that,” Orengo said.
He further described her entry into the Linda Mwananchi movement — the ODM rebel faction led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna — as a major boost for women’s leadership and citizen-centred governance.
“Her decision to join the Linda Mwananchi movement is a monumental win for women’s leadership and our collective struggle for the ordinary citizen,” he added.
Odhiambo, who became only the second woman to lead the LSK when she was elected its 51st president in March 2024, had earlier explained her decision to step into active politics during a Wednesday, June 17 interview, saying that meaningful change requires participation in the law-making process rather than responding to decisions after the fact.
“It’s not just about waiting to go to court and challenge the decisions or laws that have already been made; it is sitting at the heart of where you can make that difference, and that is where Parliament is,” she said.
She also pushed back against suggestions that her alignment with Linda Mwananchi was opportunistic, framing it instead as a natural extension of the values she has long championed.
“The decision to join Linda Mwananchi is not opportunism, it’s just following the principles and ethos that I’ve always believed in,” Odhiambo said.
The race for the Nairobi Woman Representative seat is already shaping up to be fiercely competitive. Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has declared her interest on a United Democratic Alliance ticket, while Millicent Omanga of the Democracy for the Citizens Party — who lost the seat in 2022 — is also eyeing a comeback. Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda and activist Maverick Aoko have similarly thrown their names into the ring.
The seat is currently held by Esther Passaris, who has announced she will not seek re-election in 2027, leaving the field wide open.
Odhiambo’s entry is expected to reshape the contest significantly, given her national profile and the growing momentum behind the Linda Mwananchi coalition.
