Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya has called on embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna to join the United Opposition.

Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Natembeya warned that Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM party forming a third force by choosing to go into the 2027 general elections independently could hand President William Ruto an easy path to re-election.

Natembeya described the current state of ODM as chaotic.

“You know they are on the other side in ODM, and ODM is like a bat; it is neither a bird nor a mammal, it is just there. They need to sort out that issue of which ODM is which,” he said.

He explained that the party is currently divided into factions, with one led by party leader Oburu Odinga committed to the broad-based government as it plans to hold the National Delegates Convention (NDC), while Sifuna heads a rival faction that is opposed to the ODM deal with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Splitting opposition votes

According to Natembeya, Sifuna’s faction is likely to create a third force once they formally break away from ODM, describing the move as a disaster.

“The moment they are gone, where is the other faction going to go? Are they going to be independent, or are they going to join the United Opposition, which we are now calling the alternative government?” Natembeya asked.

According to Natembeya, a split in ODM would dilute opposition votes and potentially benefit President Ruto.

“This war is within ODM; Sifuna is fighting another faction. One faction led by Oburu Odinga is determined to be in a broad-based government, and they have said that they are going to have an NDC, and they are gone. The moment they are gone, where is the other faction going to go? Are they going to be independent, or are they going to join the United Opposition, which we are now calling the alternative government?” he questioned.

“If they choose to go their own way, it is going to be a disaster because we now have two baskets of votes: ours, the opposition’s, and the broad-based government’s.”

The governor emphasised the value of ODM rebel leaders joining the United Opposition to consolidate efforts against Ruto.

“If you form a third force, you are going to pick votes from our basket, not Ruto’s basket, and you are going to give him a way to return to power. Let them come to the alternative government so that we move together because they are going to be very valuable players,” he insisted.

10-point agenda

This comes a day after Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM party announced plans to release an independent report assessing the implementation of the 10-Point Agenda agreed between the late party leader Raila Odinga and President Ruto.

ODM’s Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, in a Facebook statement on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, said the progressive wing that is operating under Linda Mwananchi’s platform will publish a People’s Report detailing the true status of the reform commitments made to Kenyans under the agreement signed on March 7, 2025.

“Tomorrow (March 11) we shall release a People’s Report presenting an independent assessment of the true status of the implementation of the 10-Point Agenda,” Osotsi said.

He added that the move is aimed at defending ODM’s founding principles and the reform promises made to citizens.