Busia is ODM’s stronghold, not Nyanza – Sifuna dares critics, vows to stand his ground
By Mustafa Juma, February 8, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has declared Busia County the party’s single largest stronghold by voter registration.
Speaking during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Busia on Sunday, February 8, 2026, Sifuna dismissed claims that ODM’s political power is confined to the Nyanza region and vowed not to retreat from his hardline stance on governance and accountability.
He told supporters that the county, not Siaya, Homa Bay, or Migori, has the highest number of registered ODM members nationwide, a fact he said informed the party’s decision to launch the grassroots movement there.
“Nataka kama katibu mkuu wa chama cha ODM, niseme hapa kwamba Kenya mzima, the county with the highest number of registered voters who are ODM members is not Siaya, it is not Homa Bay, it is not Migori, it is Busia. Ndio maana tulisema tukianza hii vuguvugu ya Linda Mwananchi tunaanzia Busia,” Sifuna said.
Sifuna’s political position
The outspoken Nairobi senator used the platform to directly confront critics within and outside the party who have accused him of rebellion amid ongoing discussions around a possible ODM–UDA pre-election arrangement.
Sifuna asked Busia residents to publicly affirm whether he should maintain his current political position or change course, insisting he would remain steadfast unless directed otherwise by party members.
“Nataka mnipee amri kwa sababu nyinyi ndio wadosi wangu pale ODM, mahali nimeshikilia, niendelee hapo hapo ama nibadilike? Mimi nataka niape mbele ya Mwneyezi Mungu na mbele yenu kwa sababu nyinyi ni wadosi wangu, mahali nimeshikilia sibanduki, kwa sababu Baba hakulea watu waoga,” he said.
Raila’s long-held belief
He further framed his defiance as loyalty to the party’s founding values and to the late opposition leader Raila Odinga’s long-held belief in speaking truth to power, even at personal risk.
“Baba alikuwa anasema kama ni kutuua watuue lakini tutaenda tuongee ukweli. Mimi mtu mmoja wakiniua mnaeza shindwa kunizika kweli? Hatutatishwa na mtu yeyote. Mheshimiwa Raila Odinga hakulea watu waoga, na Baba alikuwa anatuambia kila siku tuchunge maslahi ya mwananchi,” Sifuna remarked.
Sifuna also launched a blistering attack on the Kenya Kwanza government over the rising cost of living and what he termed policy confusion, citing the current school uniform crisis facing parents of Grade 10 learners.
“Mimi siezi nyamaza kama Sufuna wakati ambapo wazazi kwa saa hii wanang’ang’ana kupeleka watoto wao wa grade 10 kwa shule. Wanaambiwa uniform walipe hadi shilingi elfu ishirini alafu serikali ambayo haijui kitu inafanya inatuambia yakwamba tupeleke watoto shuleni bila hata uniform badala wahakikishe yakwamba bei ya uniform inashuke chini,” he said.