Cherargei: Sifuna must go, he is the biggest threat to ODM’s growth
By Faith Lagat, October 19, 2025Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called for the removal of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna by the end of 2025, accusing him of being a “mole” within the party.
In a post on X made hours after the final funeral rites for former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, Cherargei claimed Sifuna is undermining the party’s alignment with President William Ruto’s broad-based government and sabotaging Raila’s legacy of national unity.
“The entire ODM leadership except Sifuna have confirmed that Baba Raila Odinga instructed them to stay & work with President Ruto administration under Broadbased government,” Cherargei wrote on October 19.
His comments followed a public clash between Sifuna and ODM Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga during the funeral service over Raila’s final instructions to the party.
Sifuna reiterates electoral preparedness
During his speech at JOOUST, Sifuna recounted Raila’s September 22, 2025 address to MPs at a Nairobi hotel. He quoted Raila as saying, “Raila aliongea wazi mbele ya nchi nzima, tarehe 22, mwezi uliopita, mbele ya hawa wabunge katika hoteli pale Nairobi, Baba aliongea kwa kinywa chake yeye mwenyewe, naomba viongozi msiingize maneno kwa mtu ambaye amelala, Baba alisema mwenyewe, akasema kama chama lazima tujiandae kwa ajili ya uchaguzi wa 2027.”
Dismissing contrary interpretations, he posed Raila’s rhetorical question, “Who has told you?” urging ODM members to heed the electorate. “Raila used to listen to wananchi, na mimi nataka kuencourage wanachama wa ODM, sisi viongozi sasa tunyamaze kidogo tuwaskize nyinyi mnasema nini, nyinyi mtuambie mnataka sisi tufanye nini na chama cha Baba Raila Odinga,” he said. “Kwa hivyo sisi tutafuata the last standing instruction ya Raila,” Sifuna added, stressing election readiness.
In contrast, Wanga reiterated Raila’s broad-based stance, quoting him during the burial of Dr Phoebe Asiyo: “Us we follow Baba, when he says left we go left, when he says right we go right, when he says fire we say fire.” She said Raila’s final directive was to walk with President Ruto’s administration for national stability.
Rift deepens within ODM
Cherargei’s post intensified the internal debate over ODM’s direction following Raila’s death. He stated, “The biggest threat to growth of ODM to be in government or to form government in FUTURE is Sifuna & company by the end of this year 2025 he MUST be removed from ODM as the secretary General. He is the mole of united opposition in ODM.”
The senator’s remarks come against the backdrop of the ODM–UDA pact signed in March 2025 and ongoing discussions about the party’s role in the 2027 elections.