Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has reaffirmed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) does not support President William Ruto’s administration.

Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, February 20, 2025, Sifuna dismissed claims that ODM is trying to balance its position in both government and opposition. He insisted that the party remains firmly behind its leader, Raila Odinga.

Sifuna expressed frustration with repeated questions about ODM’s political stance, stating that the media has refused to accept the party’s clear position.

“ODM’s position has been very clear. I want to take the words of acting Party leader Anyang’ Nyong’o that this question is now becoming ridiculous. How many times do we have to answer this question?” Sifuna questioned.

Adding;

“ODM is a party of order. There’s a hierarchy in the party. When it comes to matters of coalitions and who we are supporting as a presidential candidate, you do not listen to every riff-raff. The constitution of the party vests that role in the party leader. And yesterday I urged the members to wait for Raila to come,” the senator said.

According to the firebrand senator, even ODM MPs who have publicly expressed support for President Ruto will ultimately align with Raila once he gives direction.

Loyalty to Raila

He emphasized that ODM operates within a structured hierarchy, and critical decisions about political alliances and presidential endorsements come from the party leadership, not individual members. Sifuna dismissed some of the party members making pro-government statements as riff-raffs insisting that their loyalty remains with Raila.

He pointed out that some members had speculated about ODM’s alignment with Ruto simply because of the president and Raila’s recent bromance for the AUC chair bid campaigns. He ridiculed this notion, questioning whether Odinga would have been left stranded without the help of the Head of State. According to him, such assumptions lack seriousness and misrepresent ODM’s position.

Sifuna fiercely maintained that the party is waiting for Raila Odinga’s return, after which the next political steps will be made clear. He insisted that Ruto’s endorsement from ODM members means little because, ultimately, their loyalty remains with Raila.

He argued that if Odinga were to announce his next political move, the same MPs currently praising Ruto in Parliament would quickly shift their allegiance.

“Some of these riff-raffs are now saying that we will support Ruto because he shared a vehicle with Raila Odinga. Are you telling me if Ruto had driven off and left Raila there will be no vehicle to take Raila to the venue? We need to be serious, when you hear these people talk, you need to listen to the leadership of the party. We are waiting for Raila to return because that’s where the party’s loyalty lies. Even Ruto knows ODM, the value you attach to an endorsement by saying we pick a name, is zero, those people at the end of the day are loyal to Raila. The day Raila says we want this seat, none of those people you hear, his praise and worship in parliament will support Ruto,” Sifuna stated.

Sifuna’s remarks come in the wake of Odinga’s unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship. The loss has triggered further discussions about his political future and the leadership of ODM.

Before the AUC election, conversations about Odinga’s potential retirement and succession within the party had been gaining traction. In September 2024, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o was appointed to oversee ODM affairs while Odinga campaigned for the AUC position.