Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has recalled how he once clashed bitterly with his former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga, over the 2015 Homa Bay senatorial by-election.

Speaking during an interview on Herman Manyora’s podcast aired on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the outspoken senator said the fallout was so intense that he avoided contact with Raila for several days.

Sifuna explained that following the death of then-senator Otieno Kajwang’, the seat was declared vacant. Raila initially announced that ODM would conduct free and fair nominations. However, this led to divisions within the party, with leaders taking sides to support their preferred candidates.

At the time, Sifuna backed his close friend Silas Jakakimba and actively campaigned for him across Homa Bay County. In the middle of the campaigns, Raila changed course and opted to issue a direct ticket to the current Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, citing a request from the Kajwang’ family that the seat remain within the family.

The move angered Sifuna, who at the time was a columnist in a local newspaper. He publicly criticised the party for failing to uphold its promise of fair nominations, drawing the attention of then ODM Secretary General Anyang’ Nyong’o.

“In 2015, when Jerald Otieno died, we took sides. I supported Jakakimba; Baba himself went to the ground and stated that there would be free and fair primaries. It reached a point where Raila thinks the family of Kajwang has to be given that ticket,” Sifuna said.

“I told him to his face that there is no way he could go ahead and issue the ticket to Moses Kajwang since he had promised people that it would be a free and fair nomination.”

Fidel Odinga’s death

Sifuna further revealed that he avoided Raila for days following the disagreement. However, during that period, Raila’s son, Fidel Castro Odinga, passed away. Sifuna visited Raila at his Karen residence to offer condolences.

 “I had not seen Raila; I was avoiding him because of the byelections. in the middle on grief, he told me we need to talk about the Homa Bay byelections,” he added.

He recounted that after a brief condolence message, he attempted to leave without much interaction due to their fallout. However, Raila called him back and asked him to sit down. Despite the grieving atmosphere, Raila took time to explain his decision and persuade Sifuna why he had settled on Moses Kajwang.

According to Sifuna, Raila insisted that the move was meant as a tribute to the Kajwang’s family. Despite initial resistance, Sifuna said Raila eventually convinced him.

Sifuna- Raila clash

Sifuna noted that disagreements with Raila are not new. He pointed to a more recent fallout over Raila’s decision to enter into a broad-based political arrangement with President William Ruto, a move Sifuna opposed.

In place of this, Sifuna has regarded Raila as a very persuasive person; according to him, the late could try and persuade anybody who even looks like they don’t matter, but the late could sit down with the person and explain everything to him, something that, according to Sifuna, is missing in the current ODM leadership