Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was put in the spotlight by Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda ahead of the expected formalisation of a working arrangement between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Kenya Kwanza.

Tom Ojienda, through a statement on Friday, March 7, 2025, recalled sounding a warning to the ODM’s Secretary General against openly criticising President William Ruto’s administration.

The vocal senator, who was among the first lawmakers to be put on the chopping board for siding with Ruto, noted that he had foreseen the sealing of a new pact between Raila and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

While predicting the extended broad-based government arrangement, Ojienda argued that Sifuna would be directed to tone down attacks on Ruto’s government.

He, however, indicated that most people doubted his prediction, which he maintained was set to happen once Raila and Ruto formalise their working agreement.

“One day in politics is a long time. I can tell you that Sifuna will be given directions to keep quiet and tore the line. I will make sure he is informed that we are working together- ODM and UDA are working together,” Ojienda recalled.

Selfish interests

Ojienda accused Sifuna of pursuing his interests instead of supporting the party’s general decision. While reprimanding the Nairobi Senator, he underscored the need to collaborate with the government to accelerate development in the country.

“We have our followers who believe that the government delivers. We have an obligation to work for the government for the interests of our people, and Sifuna should stop thinking about himself,” Ojienda said then.

Sifuna’s stance on 2027

Ojienda made the sentiments after boldly claimed that Ruto would lose in 2027 even if Raila endorsed him.

“Even if ODM supports President Ruto in the 2027 elections, he will still lose. As a party, we do not support the internal or external affairs of this nation. We will only form alliances with political parties that are like-minded… You are not going to force us into an alliance with incompetent people,” Sifuna said during an interview on a local TV station.

He also openly criticised some of the Kenya Kwanza initiative, including the Social Health Authority, which has been clouded by challenges since its launch.

His harsh sentiments sparked a storm inside ODM, with Makadara MP George Aladwa threatening to call for his ouster as the party’s Secretary General.

With Sifuna at the crossroads, ODM and Kenya Kwanza are expected to explain how they are going to work moving forward. A few lawmakers from both sides of the divide have welcomed the move, insisting that it is key to fostering national cohesion.