Kenya, July 26 -- Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has accused Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna of demanding a staggering Ksh300 million to support President William Ruto's broad-based government, labelling it an outrageous attempt to enrich himself rather than serve Kenyans.

Speaking at a funeral in Moi's Bridge, Uasin Gishu County, on July 25, 2025, Sudi also claimed ODM leader Raila Odinga is betraying Ruto by defending Sifuna's criticism of the UDA-ODM coalition.

The explosive allegations have deepened tensions within Kenya's political landscape, fuelling debates about the 2027 elections and coalition integrity.

Sudi's remarks follow Sifuna's July 24, 2025, Citizen TV interview, where he declared the March 2025 UDA-ODM Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) "dead" due to Kenya Kwanza's failure to address extrajudicial killings and abductions, including the death of blogger Albert Ojwang.

Sifuna warned that ODM's alignment with Ruto risks derailing its 2027 prospects, stating, "We'll lose the chance to explain what we were doing with Ruto,".

Sudi, dismissing Sifuna as a "political broker," claimed the senator's opposition stems from being excluded from coalition negotiations, accusing him of seeking personal gain over national unity. "There was no panel; Ruto and Raila agreed directly," Sudi insisted.

Raila's defence of Sifuna, voiced during a July 25 ODM delegates' conference in Kakamega, has drawn Sudi's ire. "Everybody has a right to speak their mind; that's democracy," Raila said, rejecting internal calls to censure Sifuna.

Sudi countered that Raila's support betrays the trust of Ruto, who appointed five ODM leaders, including Wycliffe Oparanya and John Mbadi, to cabinet roles.

This rift highlights ODM's internal struggles, with Western Kenya MPs like Butere's Tindi Mwale rallying behind Sifuna, threatening to exit ODM if he's targeted.

Supporters amplify the feud, questioning Sifuna's motives, while others defend his role as a "true opposition voice".

The broad-based government, formed post-2024 Gen Z protests to stabilise Kenya, has been contentious. Sifuna's refusal to join an ODM review team, criticised by Junet Mohamed and Gladys Wanga, shows his dissent.

Political analyst Herman Manyora cautioned Sifuna, Babu Owino, and Caleb Amisi against antagonising Raila, noting his enduring influence. These tensions, amid Kenya's 7.5% GDP budget deficit, highlight the fragility of Ruto's coalition strategy.

Sudi's history of clashing with Sifuna, including a February 2025 spat where Sifuna called him a "Class Two dropout" and Sudi boasted a "superior IQ," adds context to their feud.

Sudi's Ksh145 million empowerment drive in Mt Kenya, criticised as "tokenism" by former CS Mithika Linturi, contrasts with Sifuna's focus on governance accountability.

Online searches for "Sifuna Ksh300M demand 2025" and "Ruto ODM coalition rift" rise, reflecting interest in Nairobi, Mombasa, and the diaspora.

As Ruto balances ODM's support against Mt Kenya's unrest post-Gachagua's impeachment, Sudi's allegations could reshape coalition dynamics.

Raila's assurance to address Sifuna internally suggests ODM's intent to maintain unity, but Sifuna's growing Gen Z following, fuelled by his blunt critiques, positions him as a wildcard.

With Kenya facing economic and social challenges, the Sifuna-Sudi clash highlights the stakes of 2027, where regional alliances and trust will define the electoral landscape.

This saga, rooted in accusations of greed and betrayal, tests the resilience of Kenya's broad-based government and its leaders' commitment to public service.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.