Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Secretary-general Edwin Sifuna has unequivocally stated that he will leave the party if it supports president Dr William Samoei Ruto’s reelection bid in 2027.
While addressing an event in Sabaoti, Trans Nzoia County, on Sunday 3 August, 2025 Sifuna said that party loyalty should not override personal conviction, especially on matters as significant as endorsing a presidential candidate.
“I assure ODM supporters that my stance remains,” Sifuna said, adding “Raila himself has said that this is a democratic party and any member is free to speak their mind, yet some thugs are saying I cannot hold views independent of the party just because I am the secretary-general, that I represent the party at all times.”
Sifuna’s criticism of the Broadbased government arrangement has been premised on the fact that the government reneged on its promise to end police brutality, extrajudicial killings and abductions.
The fiery Nairobi Senator put it on record that whereas he is willing to read and disseminate any statement ODM releases, no matter how controversial, he will not be the one to read a statement backing President Ruto’s candidacy.
“I am willing to read whatever statement ODM comes up with for dissemination, even if they were to insult me. But the day the party decides it wants to support Ruto come 2027, that one I will not read.”
“Some have said [Nyando MP] Jared Okelo is better than I am at it because he speaks good English; Okello, be ready if you want to take up my role. If they endorse Ruto, I won’t be a part of that.”
Sifuna has openly admitted that ODM has failed to put its house in order and it lacks ideological clarity, leaving members and supporters unsure about the party’s stance on critical national issues.
He says the party no longer speaks with a single voice, blaming the formation of the ‘broad-based’ government agreement.
As a result, some of the party’s defenders have criticized Sifuna and called for his resignation. The former Prime Minister has, however, defended his party secretary-general, saying that while the Nairobi Senator is ODM’s official spokesperson, the lawmaker is also allowed to speak his mind in a personal capacity.
In the meantime, a meeting between Raila Amollo Odinga and President Dr William Samoei Ruto at State House Nairobi shortly after Ruto met former president Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta has left tongues wagging.
Political pundits are already reading the beginning of a coalition or alliance of sorts among the trio who are the main players in Kenya’s political chessboard.
With Sifuna now reiterating that he won’t be supporting an ODM Party endorsement of Ruto, the possibility is very high that such an arrangement is on the cards.
Leave a Reply