Sifuna slams ODM for breaking committee pact to favour UDA
By Kiprono Keileb, January 25, 2026ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has accused some party leaders of disregarding a central committee decision that ODM should engage all political parties in talks.
Speaking in Dagoretti on Sunday, January 25, 2026, Sifuna said the leaders went further to single out UDA for negotiations, violating the committee’s resolution.
“Hata baada ya central committee kupitisha kwamba Chama itaongea na vyama vingine vyote tujue who is giving us the best deal, tayari wamegeuza wamesema watasungumza na UDA pekeake na sisi tukiuliza maswali, wanasema tunagiuka yale mambo chama imeafikia,” Sifuna said.
He stressed that ODM was created as a party for Kenyans and should not serve the interests of a few individuals or boards.
“Chama cha ODM ilikuwa ni chama cha wanachi na hakuna siku itafanya kazi kwa board pekee. Mimi kama katibu mkuu nitahakikisha tutafanya yake tulikubaliana kwamba tuwe na mazungumzo na vyama vingine vyote vya kisiasa Kenya hii, tunataka mazungumzo ya kimaadili sio ati nani atapata kiti gani, tunataka kuangazia mambo ya mwananchi wa kawaida,” he added.
Sifuna also rejected suggestions that ODM should adopt exclusive deals or alliances, warning that such approaches undermine the party’s broad-based principles.
“Kuna mtu amekuja kuniambia huku ni Tutam, sisi tuko Wantam. Hapa hatutaki mambo ya Tutam, hakuna kitu Broad-Based imetusaidia,” Sifuna said.
The remarks show rising tensions within ODM as the party navigates alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections. Sifuna’s comments signal a push for transparent, inclusive negotiations and reaffirm the party’s commitment to engaging multiple political stakeholders rather than focusing on a single partner.
He called on ODM members to respect the central committee resolutions and prioritise the interests of ordinary Kenyans in all political deals.
ODM to initiate pre-2027 talks with UDA
The decision to negotiate with Ruto’s UDA was made by the party’s Central Committee during a meeting in Kilifi County on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The committee instructed ODM leader, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, to lead structured discussions, beginning with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Members of the party will also be consulted, with all talks aimed at shaping a National Delegates Convention.
The party stressed that it must act swiftly to be ready for the upcoming elections.