Siaya Senator James Orengo is the next Luo political kingpin. The current holder of the position, opposition leader Raila Odinga, has silently but strongly hinted at leaving the post thanks to his recent peace truce with President Uhuru Kenyatta, an apparent goodbye sign as he proceeds to take the back seat in Kenyan politics.
With the former Premier also aging, Orengo has proved his readiness and capability to lead the Luo community after his exit including taking risky routes to prove his point.
He constituted the team that coordinated Odinga's January 30 mock presidential coronation and was personally present during the event despite government's threats that it amounted to treason translating to a death penalty. This elevated him to the second most celebrated Luo leader after the son of Jaramogi.
The Senator also led the legal team that handed the veteran's National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition a win in the August 8 presidential petition, a victory that made him a demigod among members of the community and a household among not only Luos but all NASA supporters.
His closeness and long-time loyalty to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party boss has further put him a level higher than his fellow influential politicians in the Luo Nyanza region portraying him as conversant with all the plans Odinga has for the community, rendering him the best to put on the boots.
Orengo has as well been consistent in the Kenyan political arena and has undoubtedly gathered enough experience to lead in whatever capacity and cannot, therefore, mislead the community upon taking over.
He remains the only one who can fit in Odinga's boots and has also demonstrated the desire to take over and as things stand, nothing can stand between him and the throne.