Inside Politics

Sifuna reacts to Raila’s remarks on ODM’s stance on 2027 polls

Monday 22nd September, 2025 07:58 PM| By Luke Oluoch

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has reacted to Raila Odinga’s public stance on the party’s position regarding fielding a presidential candidate in the run-up to the 2027 polls.

Speaking on Monday, September 22, 2025, Raila dismissed claims that his party may not front a candidate in the 2027 general election, insisting that no such decision has been made, a pronouncement that seemingly caught the attention of Sifuna.

The embattled Nairobi Senator, who was conspicuously missing from the event, took to his X page to affirm the message with a ‘Loud. Clear” caption.

Edwin Sifuna’s reaction to Raila Odinga’s statement on ODM’s stance in fielding a candidate in the 2027 polls. PHOTO/A screen grab by People Daily Digital of @@edwinsifuna/X

Sifuna has in past voiced his criticism of Ruto’s government, even threatening to ditch the party if it endorses the UDA party leader.

Raila’s stance is, however, set to receive wide acceptance from the section of the party opposed to ODM’s association with Kenya Kwanza, under the broad-based arrangement.

The faction has repeatedly voiced its unease with flirting with UDA despite facing a huge backlash from the faction loyal to the government.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino speaks during a past public function. PHOTO/https://web.facebook.com/babuowinongili

Babu Owino, who made a brief showing in the Machakos Parliamentary Group Meeting and MP Caleb Amisi of Saboti are among other members opposed to the UDA-ODM pact.

The Saboti legislator was absent from the event.

Raila on ODM fielding a candidate

During the event, Raila stressed that warned members against committing the party to agreements that had not been discussed or approved. He stressed that ODM had its own plan, and decisions about 2027 would be made when the time comes.

This comes after Kisumu governor Anyang Nyong’o said that ODM will have a presidential candidate in 2027.

“So, wherever you are, don’t commit the party to some things which have not been discussed. Let those things be discussed first. We are ODM. Who’s told you that ODM will not have a candidate in 2027, who has told you,” Raila said.

He noted that the party had a clear roadmap negotiated earlier in the year when ODM signed a pact with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). According to Odinga, that agreement was aimed at creating stability and addressing pressing national challenges, not surrendering ODM’s future role.