Kenya, Aug. 3 -- Nairobi Senator and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has vowed resignation if the party endorses President William Ruto's re-election bid in the 2027 General Election, signalling deep internal rifts within Kenya's leading opposition party.
Speaking at a women's empowerment fundraiser in Saboti, Trans Nzoia County, Sifuna declared his unwavering opposition to any alliance with Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA), emphasizing that his principles would not allow him to support a candidate he has consistently criticized.
His remarks, echoed by Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, highlight growing tensions within ODM as it navigates its controversial cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Sifuna's bold stance comes amid escalating debates over ODM's political direction, particularly following a March 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UDA, which formalized a "broad-based government" arrangement.
This pact, endorsed by ODM leader Raila Odinga, saw key party figures like Hassan Joho and John Mbadi appointed to Ruto's cabinet, a move Sifuna has publicly questioned. "I'll read any ODM statement, even those against me, but the day we declare support for Ruto in 2027, I'm out," Sifuna asserted, challenging critics like Nyando MP Jared Okello, who some propose as his replacement due to his articulate public speaking.
Sifuna's defiance shows his commitment to ODM's original mission of advocating for democratic freedoms and justice, which he argues is compromised by aligning with Ruto.
The Saboti event, attended by like-minded leaders like Amisi, who also threatened to exit ODM if the Ruto alliance persists, was framed as a call for a new political force under the "Kenya Moja" initiative.
This movement aims to rally Kenyans against what Sifuna describes as governance failures under Ruto's administration, including economic struggles and mishandling of protests.
Sifuna emphasized that removing Ruto is a "national priority," not a personal vendetta, and expressed openness to collaborating with figures like Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i to achieve this goal.
Amisi dismissed comparisons to government-sponsored events, stressing that their agenda focuses on structured empowerment and economic transformation for Western Kenya.
Internal ODM divisions have intensified since Raila Odinga's endorsement of the UDA partnership, which followed his unsuccessful African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.
Sifuna, who previously called the MoU "dead" due to unmet commitments like protecting citizens' lives, faces pressure from party members like Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, who dismissed his remarks as "noise" and reaffirmed ODM's commitment to Ruto.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and others have challenged Sifuna to resign if he cannot support the Raila-Ruto deal, accusing him of undermining party unity. Despite this, Raila has defended Sifuna's right to dissent, citing ODM's democratic ethos, though he hinted at addressing the issue in upcoming leadership meetings.
The controversy highlights broader questions about ODM's identity as it approaches its October 2025 National Delegates Convention, where leadership and strategy for 2027 will be decided. Sifuna, the longest-serving ODM Secretary General, insists the party can field credible presidential candidates without relying on UDA.
He warned that continued alignment with Ruto risks alienating ODM's five-million-strong base, particularly in regions like Nyanza and the Coast, where support for Raila remains strong but doubts about Ruto grow.
Sifuna's earlier calls for Ruto's resignation during the 2024 protests against the Finance Bill underscore his consistent anti-Ruto stance, framing the president's leadership as detrimental to Kenya's democratic values.
As Kenya hosts CHAN 2024 and eyes AFCON 2027, political dynamics are under scrutiny, with Sifuna's potential resignation signaling a possible realignment in opposition politics.
His remarks resonate with a section of Kenyans frustrated by economic challenges and perceived governance failures. While some praise his principled stand, others, including ODM's George Aladwa, accuse him of derailing party unity.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.