Robert Alai pushes for Sifuna’s ouster as ODM cracks widen
By Kenneth Mwenda, February 11, 2026Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has called for the immediate removal of Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
This follows growing concerns over Sifuna’s repeated absence from key party meetings and his opposition to potential talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Taking to X on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Alai stated that ODM’s leadership was showing dangerous indecision by keeping Sifuna in the secretary-general post, warning that the party risked losing credibility and control if it failed to act immediately.
“If ODM doesn’t remove Edwin Sifuna as SG today,” Alai wrote while asking Ruto to pick another deputy president, adding, “the current leadership of ODM will have shown a catastrophic level of indecisiveness.”
Alai’s statement came on February 11, 2026, as the ODM National Executive Committee (NEC) met in Mombasa to discuss internal divisions and possible alliances. Sifuna skipped the meeting entirely, choosing instead to attend a Senate Energy Committee Stakeholders Forum in Nairobi. His absence sparked more speculation about fractures at the top of ODM.
The party has faced instability since the death of its founder, Raila Odinga, on October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India. Factions within ODM now clash over the party’s direction and whether to cooperate with UDA.
Party leader Oburu Oginga chaired the NEC session. He confirmed that ODM had left the Azimio la Umoja coalition long ago.
“Azimio was dead when ODM left it. We left it long time ago. It is only a formality which we have not performed and which we are going to perform very soon,” he said. Oburu added that the party would formalise its exit shortly.
On the question of alliances, he stated: “We are not in a hurry to say one term or two term.”
Amisi ousted
The NEC also removed Saboti MP Caleb Amisi from the committee. Amisi, who held dual roles as Trans Nzoia county chairman and national deputy organising secretary, criticised the process.
“What people are not aware of is that they have already kicked me out,” he said. “For you to remove a NEC member, there are procedures. You don’t just write a letter from Bondo and send it on WhatsApp. The NEC must meet, and they must unanimously agree or vote that you’re supposed to leave. And you’re supposed to be given a right of reply. There must be a hearing.”
Amisi vowed not to run on an ODM ticket if the party joins UDA.
“If ODM joins UDA, I, Caleb Amisi, will not vie with ODM. It is just as clear as that,” he said, adding that he might reconsider if ODM fields its own presidential candidate or joins a coalition with like-minded groups.
Sifuna’s absences are not new. On January 12, he and Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi skipped a consultative leaders’ meeting.
At the centre of the party dispute is whether ODM should cooperate with UDA. One faction, aligned with Oburu, favours collaboration for stability. Another, led by Sifuna, Osotsi, and Siaya Governor James Orengo, insists the party remains independent and fields its own presidential candidate in 2027.
National Treasury CS John Mbadi has also urged Sifuna’s expulsion.
“Someone like Sifuna will not remain in ODM because already he is conflicted. He is now selling the agenda of someone else… You cannot keep him in the party,” Mbadi said.