Manyora warns Raila of dire consequences if Sifuna exits ODM
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 25, 2025Seasoned political analyst Herman Manyora has issued a strong warning to ODM leader Raila Odinga, cautioning him of the grave consequences the party may face should Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna be pushed out of the Orange Democratic Movement.
Speaking on his channel on Monday, August 25, 2025, Manyora drew parallels between the current tensions in ODM and the fallout that befell President William Ruto after he allowed the impeachment of his then deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, to proceed, who has now gained political prominence much more than he used to have while still in office.
According to him, Raila risks suffering similar consequences should he fail to secure Sifuna’s position within the party, warning Raila that Sifuna would become a thorn in Raila’s flesh should he be mistreated by the Orange party
“Just the way I advised William Ruto not to impeach Gachagua, he is now feeling it. I am warning ODM. I am advising Raila Odinga: be careful how you treat Sifuna; he could become a thorn in your flesh,” Manyora stated.
The analyst pointed out that Sifuna commands significant influence among the youth, particularly the Gen Z constituency that has been searching for a leader to champion their voice at the national level.
He explained that young people have been yearning for a credible presidential figure, and Sifuna has slowly positioned himself as a natural appeal to that demographic.
“Be careful in how you treat Sifuna; there is a constituency outside that Sifuna appeals to. The young people have been trying to get somebody – the Gen Zs – as a presidential candidate.” Manyora stated
The consequences
Manyora recalled that at one point, Gen Z had gravitated towards former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as a possible option, but his momentum was disrupted by circumstances that weakened his national standing. Although Matiang’i has since resurfaced, Manyora noted that he has yet to fully reclaim the confidence of the youthful constituency, and should he fail, Sifuna will come in and take over it.
He stressed that if ODM mishandles Sifuna or appears to frustrate his role within the party, the move will backfire on Raila and ODM’s broader political interests. The youth, who are increasingly restless and eager for fresh leadership, could easily rally behind Sifuna if he were to find himself outside the Orange party fold. In such a scenario, Manyora warned, ODM would suffer a strategic loss while the Gen Z movement would gain a new political champion.
This comes at a time when Sifuna appears to be gravitating away from ODM, with him joining forces; Sifuna leads Kenya Moja MPs in consultative talks with like-minded politicians dubbed Kenya Moja, who have been moving around the country and holding consultative talks.
“That is to show you that the likes of Babu Owino and Wamuchomba Amisi Sifuna come out strongly. if they are mistreated, if Sifuna is mistreated by ODM, such circumstances would give him many changes, and Gen Zs would support him,” he added