Sifuna’s stand exposes rifts that may shape ODM’s future
By Newton Maneno, August 8, 2025The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), once a formidable force in Kenyan politics, finds itself at a crossroads as internal divisions threaten its cohesion and relevance.
At the heart of this turmoil is Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, whose outspoken criticism of the party’s direction has ignited a fierce debate among loyalists.
His clash with key party figures, including those aligned with party leader Raila Odinga, exposes ideological and strategic rifts that could shape ODM’s survival as the 2027 election looms.
Sifuna, the Nairobi Senator known for his sharp rhetoric, has publicly lamented the confusion within ODM, particularly over its partnership with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In a July 2025 interview on Citizen TV, he admitted that the party struggles to articulate a clear stance on national issues, blaming disjointed messaging and some members’ support for rival political formations.
He pointed to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with UDA, which facilitated the appointment of ODM figures like John Mbadi and Hassan Joho to Ruto’s Cabinet, as a source of ideological betrayal.
Sifuna declared the MoU “dead,” refusing to join a team tasked with reviewing its implementation, arguing that it failed to deliver on promises like curbing extrajudicial killings. This bold stance has drawn both support and sharp rebuke from within the party.
Raila Odinga, ODM’s towering leader, has defended Sifuna’s right to dissent, emphasising the party’s democratic ethos during a July 2025 delegates’ conference in Kakamega.
Hardline position
He acknowledged that the MoU’s implementation has faltered, aligning with Sifuna’s critique. However, Raila’s broader push for cooperation with Kenya Kwanza to stabilise the country has put him at odds with Sifuna’s hardline position.
This tension highlights a fracture between ODM’s grassroots base, which Sifuna claims still trusts Raila’s leadership, and a faction of leaders who see the UDA pact as a pragmatic necessity.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, for instance, dismissed Sifuna’s remarks as personal, arguing that the partnership has brought benefits like infrastructure projects and Cabinet positions for the Western region.
The infighting has sparked calls for Sifuna’s resignation, with critics like Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and Makadara MP George Aladwa accusing him of undermining Raila’s authority.
Aladwa even suggested Sifuna’s days as Secretary General are numbered, linking him to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s faction.
Yet, Sifuna remains defiant, backed by allies like Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala and ODM CEO Oduor Ong’wen, who argue that his criticism reflects the party’s core values of truth-telling and opposition to government excesses.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has also urged regional leaders to engage Sifuna respectfully, warning that continued attacks could fracture Western Kenya’s political influence.
Sifuna’s threat to quit if ODM backs Ruto in 2027, made during a women’s empowerment forum in Trans Nzoia, underscores the stakes.
He insists that his loyalty lies with ODM’s five million registered members, not just its 160 elected leaders, and that the party must return to its founding principles of championing civil rights and grassroots mobilization.
However, his confrontational approach risks alienating moderates who favor Odinga’s coalition-building strategy. Posts on X reflect the polarized sentiment, with some praising Sifuna as a voice of truth, while others accuse him of destabilising the party from within. The implications for ODM’s future are profound. If Sifuna’s faction prevails, the party could reassert its opposition identity, potentially rallying its base but risking isolation in a coalition-driven political landscape.
Lose clarity
Conversely, if Odinga’s pragmatic approach dominates, ODM might secure short-term gains but lose its ideological clarity, alienating supporters who view it as a sellout. The upcoming National Delegates Convention in October 2025 will be a critical test. Sifuna’s fate as Secretary General hangs in the balance, and his potential ouster could either galvanize dissenters or pave the way for a rebranded ODM aligned with Kenya Kwanza.
With over 20 years as a political institution, ODM’s resilience lies in its grassroots strength. Yet, the current discord, fuelled by Sifuna’s uncompromising stance and the leadership’s divergent visions, threatens to erode this foundation. The party must address these fractures swiftly to maintain its relevance. Failure to do so could see ODM relegated to the margins, a shadow of its former glory, as political dynamics shift toward 2027.