James Orengo is a lawyer and former presidential candidate in Kenya. He comes from Ugenya Constituency of Siaya District; he was educated at Ambira Primary School. He continued to pursue his secondary education at Alliance High School. He is a law graduate from the University of Nairobi where he was the student body president in his final year. He completed his undergraduate degree in 1974. James Orengo is well known for his fight against unjust rule. He has spent a good number of years in detention and is viewed by many young and upcoming lawyers as a role model. Orengo was among the young turks who brought about what can be considered as the second liberation, he was part of a group which formed the formidable Forum for the Restoration of Democracy, he fought in the front lines for democracy in Kenya and his labours did not go unnoticed as Kenya held multi-party elections in 1992. He was the recipient of the jurist of the year award in 1998