Karua points finger at Ruto over growing cracks in ODM
By Cy Muganda, February 15, 2026People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has blamed President William Ruto for the deepening divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement, saying the party’s current turmoil is largely driven by internal disagreements over whether to support the Head of State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on a local media station on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Karua said ODM should be allowed space to resolve its internal disputes, but warned that the signs emerging from the party were not very encouraging.
“I think we’ve got to let them have space to sort themselves out. I said it before that losing Sifuna would be costly for ODM. He’s an asset to have in any party. So, they should try and keep it together,” Karua said.
Pressed on whether ODM could hold itself together amid the visible rift between former Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and party figures aligned with Oburu Odinga, Karua expressed doubt about the party’s prospects of unity.
“I don’t know. The signs are not saying, are not very encouraging,” she said.
Split over Ruto support
Karua argued that the cracks within ODM became more pronounced following the death of party leader Raila Odinga, but insisted the roots of the split lay in competing positions on Ruto.
“Blame it on Dr William Ruto. One can see his hand, the shadow of his hand, splitting ODM,” Karua said.
She noted that even before Raila was buried, factions had already emerged within the party, with one side arguing that Baba had left ODM firmly in government and that the party should back Ruto in 2027, while another group, led by Sifuna and others, rejected that position.
“Right from before Baba was buried, there was a section of the party saying that Baba left them firmly in government and that they’ll be supporting William Ruto come 2027,” Karua said.
“Then there was Sifuna and others saying not so. What about the 10-point agenda? They were saying many things,” she added.
According to Karua, the ongoing wrangles are not merely personality clashes but reflect a fundamental disagreement over ODM’s political direction.
“So, this split is about support or not supporting William Ruto,” she said.