Senator Nyutu addresses claims that Sifuna is planning to join Gachagua’s DCP party
By Aloys Michael, March 4, 2026Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has weighed in on reports surrounding the embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna potentially joining the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
In an interview on a local TV station on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Nyutu dismissed claims that Sifuna’s defection is imminent while acknowledging the fluidity of the political chessboard, arguing that the move was an extension of an olive branch to Sifuna, whose future in the Orange party is facing a lot of uncertainties amid a deepening internal rift.
“For Sifuna joining DCP, that was just an invite by my party leader, and at that time was saying that should ODM kicked you out, then you are free to come and join our party,” Nyutu said.
“Minimally, everybody is free to promote their parties and to invite good leaders like Sifuna to join their parties. Whether Sifuna is going to join DCP will be his decision to make.”
Coming up with their own formation
Nyutu, a staunch ally of the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, observed that recent movements by prominent leaders such as Siaya governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino may indicate a desire to chart their own political path.
“From what I have seen of him, the trajectory that Babu Owino, James Orengo, Caleb Amisi, and others are taking, I think they want to come up there with their own formation,” he noted.
For Nyutu, this is not a source of concern but rather an opportunity for political pluralism.
“Having come from Mount Kenya, I am very happy with them, and I pray that they form their own formation,” he said, adding that the emergence of alternative alliances could counter narratives previously advanced by President William Ruto aimed at isolating the Mount Kenya region politically.
The legislator scoffed at Ruto’s strategy, arguing that he painted a picture in which his presidency faced complaints only from Mount Kenya communities.
“Now with the coming of Sifuna, I mean James and those others, that particular narrative is shattered. It was a weak narrative, because I would have wanted to know which part of Mount Kenya each leader comes from. For me, I’m very happy. In fact, Sifuna and Babu should form their own formation. But if he chooses DCP, he will be there; we will be getting a look,” he said.
Opposition’s charm offensive
This clarification comes at a time when the United Alternative Government is courting Sifuna’s faction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, Gachagua has stated his party remains open to accommodating like-minded leaders. Speaking during a party event in Nairobi, he criticised President Ruto for undermining ODM’s influence.
“William Ruto has destroyed ODM, and we are very saddened,” he said. “If you allow ODM to be sold to Ruto, Junet Mohamed, and Gladys Wanga, you will be a minority party. You will only get a few seats in Luo Nyanza.”
Amid this political turbulence, attention has also turned to an unexpected application to register the Linda Mwananchi movement as a political party.
This could be a fallback strategy by ODM dissidents, an attempt by opponents to hijack a popular name, or a commercial manoeuvre to secure political branding. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) is currently reviewing the application, according to reports.
Sifuna’s camp, however, has refuted any intention to convert Linda Mwananchi into a political party, stressing that no formal decision has been made.