Ruth Odinga backs Sifuna on ODM going solo in November by-election
By Luke Oluoch, November 1, 2025Kisumu Women’s representative Ruth Odinga has affirmed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will contest upcoming mini-polls as an independent entity, and not in partnership with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking during the party’s meeting in Mombasa this Saturday, November 1, 2025, Odinga urged the party to work on its unity and remain strong.
Going solo as ODM
“I want you to know that Baba kept reminding me that the party must remain strong. Even in the coming polls, tomorrow we will be heading to Magarini for campaigns; we are going there as ODM. There is no party called broad-based. The same applies to Malava and other areas where we have by-elections,” she stated.
Odinga clarified that the decision on the direction the party would take and possible coalitions pre-2027 will be agreed upon at an opportune time.
“When we reach 2027, we can either go on our own or join UDA or any other outfit. But we have to approach the year on a strong footing,” she said.
Odinga’s remarks come after Secretary General Edwin Sifuna dismissed the existence of a collaborative deal between the broad-based partners, UDA and ODM.
H stated that the party will retain its identity, clarifying that the broad-based arrangement is not a party nor does it have candidates.
Broad-based is not a party
“The pact we made with UDA did not constitute a coalition agreement. I hear people going around saying there are broad-based candidates in the by-elections. Broad-based is not a party, and therefore, it has no candidates,” he said.
Sifuna equally cautioned party officials against invoking the ‘two-term’ chant during party campaigns for the upcoming by-elections on November 27, 2025.
He dismissed the chant associated with the proponents of President William Ruto’s reelection bid.
No presidential elections
“The coming by-election is for the members of the County Assemblies and MPs. There is no presidential election, so I want to tell the people campaigning for our candidates not to bring up two-term chants in our campaigns,” he added.