Sifuna says ODM is drifting into shares politics associated with Gachagua
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 4, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has stated that his party has now adopted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s “shares” style of politicking.
While appearing on a local media station on Tuesday, January 3, 2026, the outspoken senator expressed his disappointment with the ODM, saying the party is deteriorating and, instead of championing national values and ideals, has resorted to the style of politics associated with Gachagua.
He noted that while serving as deputy president, Gachagua was fond of comparing those who did not vote for the current regime to people without government shares, a remark that later landed him in trouble and was cited as one of the grounds for his impeachment.
Sifuna further stated that instead of ODM championing inclusivity, the party is now moving from region to region, celebrating appointments made by the president in the areas they visit, similar to what Gachagua used to do while in office.
He added that the ODM party, especially the Oburu Odinga faction, is now speaking the same language that Gachagua was previously condemned for. He also cited the recent push by ODM to be given a 50 per cent stake in the UDA–ODM pact, saying this amounts to another “shares” scheme.
“This is what they keep parroting—saying they have employed somebody from Western, they have employed somebody from the Coast, they have employed somebody from Nyanza. When we were discussing these issues, it was not about positions or which tribe gets what,” Sifuna stated.
“We have turned into the Rigathi Gachaguas of today. We are the ones speaking the language of shares. We are the ones saying the cow should be divided into two halves, 50–50. For all the condemnation they extend to Rigathi Gachagua, they are now the ones speaking the language of shares, simply because they have tasted government power,” Sifuna said.
Gakuya’s mother’s funeral
During the same interview, Sifuna also defended himself against claims that he is Gachagua’s mole. He said allegations arose after he attended a funeral in Murang’a, the burial of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s mother, which Gachagua also attended.
He dismissed the claims as baseless, saying he cannot be dictated to on whom to accompany or where to go, and clarified that he was simply attending the funeral of a friend’s mother.