Mbadi: We approved Raila-Ruto deal, not rebellion
By Mustafa Juma, February 11, 2026National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party’s cooperation with President William Ruto.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Mbadi insisted that while working with the Kenya Kwanza government was sanctioned, opposition to it was not.
Mbadi’s remarks come hours after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was recommended for removal as ODM Secretary General over his vocal opposition to the broad-based government arrangement between ODM and UDA.
ODM central committee resolutions
According to Mbadi, the late Raila Odinga took the matter before the ODM central committee, and Sifuna read the resolutions before the former prime minister was given the go-ahead to cooperate with Ruto.
“Before Raila sent us to work in government, he brought the matter before the central committee, and Sifuna read the resolutions, and we gave Raila the go-ahead to work with President Ruto,” Mbadi said.
“ODM sanctioned working with Ruto and UDA when I was still the chairman; what we have not sanctioned is stopping working with Ruto.”
The ODM party’s contentious Raila-Ruto alliance has been under scrutiny following internal disagreements among ODM members and its senior leadership.
While Sifuna has been opposed to the broad-based government arrangement, a section of the ODM party leaders allied to party leader Oburu Odinga have been calling for a pre-election pact between ODM and UDA.
Leaders opposed to the UDA-ODM deal have been branded rebels, with a section of the party leaders calling for their removal.
Sifuna’s removal
The ODM party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) recommended the removal of Sifuna as Secretary General and appointed Catherine Omanyo in an acting capacity, subject to ratification by the National Governing Council and ultimately the National Delegates Conference (NDC).
The decision was taken during an NEC meeting in Mombasa on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. ODM announced that Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo will serve in an acting capacity until a substantive officeholder is elected.
“Party National Executive Committee meeting in Mombasa today has resolved to relieve SG @edwinsifuna of his responsibilities with immediate effect,” ODM stated.
“Effectively, Hon. Catherine Omanyo, who is one of the Deputy Secretary Generals, will act in this position until a substantive holder of the office is elected.”