Siaya Governor James Orengo has declared that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) died after party leaders began sidelining Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, as he intensified criticism of the party’s current direction following Raila Odinga’s death.

Speaking at the Linda Mwananchi rally at Posta Grounds in Bungoma on Sunday, July 26, 2026, Orengo said ODM lost its identity when its leadership started targeting Sifuna, who served as the party’s secretary-general before his removal.

“Leo Kasongo hawezi lala, ODM ilikufa wakati walianza kuchezea Sifuna,” Orengo told the crowd.

The remarks came during the final day of the Linda Mwananchi tour in Western Kenya, where Sifuna, Orengo, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and other allies addressed supporters.

Orengo’s comments followed Sifuna’s remarks at the same rally, where the Nairobi senator asked ODM supporters to allow him to pursue a new political path after falling out with the party leadership.

Sifuna said he had kept his promise not to destroy the party founded by the late Raila Odinga but accused ODM leaders of pushing him out after changes were made following Raila’s death.

“Wale mlikuwa mnaamini chama cha ODM tupeeni ruhusa tutafute chama kingine,” Sifuna told supporters.

He said he remained loyal to Raila, recalling his role in travelling to India to bring back the former Prime Minister’s body after his death.

“Nikisimama hapa Bungoma. I’m very proud because I kept my promise to my boss. Ni wao wamenifukuza mimi,” Sifuna said.

Orengo attacks Ruto over Raila deal

Orengo linked ODM’s troubles to what he described as President William Ruto’s failure to honour agreements reached with Raila Odinga.

“Raila alikuwa na mkataba na Ruto. Na hiyo akakiuka hizo mkataba,” Orengo said.

He questioned whether Ruto has fulfilled commitments he made before the political partnership between the two leaders.

Orengo asked supporters whether Ruto had kept his word not to allow the killing of young people, whether he had protected Raila’s party and whether the cost of living had reduced as promised.

“Alisema hatavunja chama ya Raila, amevunja ama hajavunja? Alisema gharama ya maisha itashushwa iwe chini. Gharama ya maisha iko juu ama iko chini?” he asked.

The governor accused Ruto of failing to deliver on his promises and described him as a leader who cannot be trusted.

“Na huyo Ruto ni mnafiki number one. Ana sifa tatu; ni muongo na hawezi kutimiza ahadi,” Orengo said.

Constitution and jobs criticism

Orengo also criticised Ruto over his past opposition to the 2010 Constitution, saying the President later relied on the same document after winning the 2022 presidential election.

He told supporters that Ruto had previously toured the country arguing that the Constitution was unsuitable for Kenya but later used it to take the oath of office as President.

“Mimi simtambui,” Orengo declared.

On unemployment, Orengo challenged the government’s record on job creation, questioning whether young Kenyans had benefited from Ruto’s promises.

“Na alisema vijana watapata kazi. Mmepata kazi kweli?” he asked.

He said voters should remove Ruto from office in the next election.

“Dawa ya Ruto ni kupeleka yeye nyumbani. Together we are going to win,” Orengo said.

Sifuna’s political fallout with ODM leadership has created divisions within the party since Raila Odinga’s death. The Registrar of Political Parties later confirmed leadership changes in ODM, including Sifuna’s removal as secretary-general.

Sifuna has accused the new leadership of abandoning ODM’s original political agenda and moving closer to Ruto’s administration.

During the Bungoma rally, he claimed some party officials had changed ODM’s leadership structure instead of following what he described as the party’s constitutional process.

He argued that ODM’s three deputy leaders should have been involved in deciding the party’s succession arrangement before any changes were made.