Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Member of Parliament for Makadara George Aladwa has declared support for the Kenya-Kwanza government amid simmering tensions on which direction ODM should take to navigate their unofficial alliance with the ruling coalition.

Speaking during a meeting convened by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen at Mukuru kwa Rueben in Embakasi Sub-County, Aladwa stated that while other members of his party were confused about the direction to take, he remained convinced of his support for President William Ruto.

“Sisi tuna-support broad-based government. Kwa wale wanayumbayumba huku na kule; sisi tutabaki kwa broad-based government na tuko nyuma ya William Samoei Ruto. Iwapo kuna mambo mengine, yatatokea tu,” Aladwa said.

(We support the broad-based government. For those of us still conflicted on the direction to take, we are fully behind President William Samoei Ruto.)

Party divided

This comes in the wake of a rift between the party’s top brass, with one section fully supporting Ruto and his 2027 re-election bid, while the other urging ODM to retain its identity and strategise to take over government in the next election.

ODM’s National Chairperson and Homa Bay County governor Gladys Wanga has openly declared support for the Kenya-Kwanza government despite the party’s Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna urging otherwise.

Sifuna’s sentiments have also been echoed by ODM interim party leader Anyang’ Nyong’o who has urged members of parliament and elected ODM leaders to refrain from the urge to join the ruling coalition’s praise and worship choir.

Party’s position

Sifuna maintains that former ODM party leader Raila Odinga left him instructions on how to navigate and prepare the party for the next general election and that his decisions on these matters have the blessings of Odinga who is vying for the African Union Commission chairperson seat.

A section of ODM leaders who have been on a collision path with the secretary-general has declared him a marked man.

In January 2025, Aladwa questioned Sifuna’s opposition to ODM leaders joining the government, stating that Sifuna who has served in the capacity for more than seven years had his days numbered.

Aladwa threatened to set Sifuna’s ouster process in motion after the conclusion of the AUC elections to be conducted on February 15, 2025.