Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has declared that embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and other like-minded leaders will soon align with the opposition to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 contest.

Speaking on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a United Alternative Government rally in Makueni County, Wamalwa projected confidence that cracks within ODM would ultimately strengthen the opposition’s resolve to unseat Ruto.

Wamalwa, one of the key principals in the emerging opposition coalition, said leaders from Western Kenya and beyond were already consolidating support for a united front.

“Mimi kutoka Western tuko team kubwa huko. Ndugu yangu Malala amekuja na salamu, ndugu yangu Natembeya amenituma na salamu, ndugu yangu Edwin Sifuna na Osotsi na Caleb Amisi wanituma na salamu. Wamesema wote wako tayari tutembee pamoja na sisi tupeleke Kasongo nyumbani,” Wamalwa said.

These remarks come against the backdrop of intensifying turmoil within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following Sifuna’s controversial removal as Secretary General by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC). The decision, later challenged at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, dismissed the case, urging the Orange party to settle the issue internally, exposing deep divisions within the party.

Earlier, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had warned that Sifuna risked being ousted from his position, a statement that was initially dismissed as political rhetoric.

However, Sifuna’s eventual removal gave weight to Gachagua’s claims, signalling what many now view as a shifting political landscape within the opposition.

Sifuna’s troubles stem largely from his firm stance against any rapprochement between ODM and Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration. A vocal supporter of the Wantam narrative advocating a single term for Ruto, Sifuna has insisted that ODM must remain firmly in opposition.

This position has placed him at odds with a faction within ODM led by Oburu Oginga, which has shown a willingness to engage with the government. The fallout has effectively split the party into rival camps, each pursuing a different political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sensing an opportunity, opposition leaders have intensified efforts to court Sifuna and his allies. Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has publicly invited Sifuna to join the Wiper party, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, describing him as a resilient and influential political figure.

“Sifuna should not be worried. I invite him to cross over to Wiper,” Maanzo said, adding that the Nairobi senator remains a formidable force capable of retaining his seat.

On her part, the People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua also praised Sifuna as principled and effective, suggesting his experience would strengthen any political outfit he joins. She noted that while Sifuna still has legal options to contest his removal, his growing national profile could sharpen the opposition’s edge.

From Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Embakasi North MP James Gakuya echoed similar sentiments, arguing that ODM’s internal divisions make it unlikely to deliver unified support to Ruto.

“No one will deliver ODM to William Ruto in full. There will be factions,” Gakuya said.

As the 2027 general election approaches, the battle lines are becoming clearer. With internal rifts widening within ODM, the opposition leaders are aggressively courting key figures like Sifuna.

The emerging coalition hopes to build a unified front capable of mounting a serious challenge to Ruto’s re-election bid.