Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has asked supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to allow him to explore a new political direction, saying he kept his promise not to destroy the party associated with the late Raila Odinga.

Speaking at Posta Grounds in Bungoma on Sunday, July 26, 2026, during the Linda Mwananchi tour, Sifuna told ODM supporters that internal changes within the party had pushed him away from the leadership.

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

The senator said he remained loyal to Raila even after his death and rejected claims that he was responsible for weakening ODM.

Sifuna recalled travelling to India to bring back Raila’s body after the former opposition leader died while receiving treatment.

“Nililia sana wakati tuliendea Baba. Tukafika Mumbai tukaleta Baba yetu,” he said.

He claimed that when he returned, he found that some party officials had already organised a meeting to change the leadership structure and install Oburu Odinga as ODM party leader.

Sifuna argued that ODM’s constitution provided a different process for selecting a successor, saying Raila’s three deputies should have been given an opportunity to agree on the way forward.

“Matarajio ya wanachama cha ODM ilikuwa hao watatu waseme wewe unaweza kufanya mimi nifanye hiyo ingine alafu tufanye uchaguzi,” he said.

The three officials he referred to are Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Abdul Swamad Shariff Nassir and Kisii Governor Simba Arati.

Sifuna said he made a commitment during Raila’s funeral that he would not be the person to break the party that his former boss built.

“Kwa mazishi ya Baba Raila Odinga, mimi nilitoa ahadi kwamba mimi sitokuwa mwenye kuvunja chama cha Baba,” he said.

Addressing the Bungoma crowd, he said he was proud that he had honoured that promise.

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

The senator then accused ODM’s current leadership of abandoning the party’s original political direction and moving closer to President William Ruto’s administration.

“Sasa ni dhahiri kwamba hao watu wameuzia chama Mheshimiwa William Samoei Ruto,” he claimed.

Natembeya backs Sifuna’s bid

Sifuna’s remarks came during the final day of the Linda Mwananchi tour in Western Kenya, a campaign that has focused on the cost of living, accountability and opposition to some government policies.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who hosted the Western Kenya leg of the tour, also urged voters from the larger Nyanza region to continue supporting Sifuna.

Natembeya said Sifuna had remained loyal to Raila and asked Nyanza voters not to shift their support to President Ruto’s side.

“This time round, msimame na sisi. Hamuwezi tuacha sisi muende kwa Kasongo. Hiyo haikubaliki,” Natembeya told the crowd.

The governor also warned residents against being influenced by money during political campaigns. He alleged that some campaign teams arrive with large amounts of cash but fail to distribute the full amount to residents.

“Hawa majamaa watakuja na pesa. Wanakuja na pesa na magunia,” Natembeya said.

He urged voters to accept any money offered during campaigns but make independent decisions at the ballot.

Sifuna’s political fallout with ODM leadership followed months of disagreement over the direction of the party after Raila’s death. The Registrar of Political Parties later confirmed changes within ODM leadership, including Sifuna’s removal as secretary-general.

Oburu Odinga took over as ODM party leader after Raila’s death, while Sifuna moved to organise supporters through the Linda Mwananchi movement.