Discord in Raila's party as Sifuna, Junet and Wanga differ on support for Ruto
Raila, however, defended Sifuna, explaining that it was the secretary general who signed the memorandum with Ruto’s party and was therefore best placed to speak on such matters.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is in deep confusion and division over whether to support President William Ruto’s administration and his possible re-election in 2027.
Top officials of Raila’s party openly clashed on Thursday over the stance taken by the party’s secretary general, Edwin Sifuna, on whether Ruto deserves another term.
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Sifuna, known for his outspoken criticism of Ruto, has argued forcefully that removing President Ruto from power should be a collective national duty.
Various ODM officials, reflecting the party’s growing disarray, differed sharply over its future direction.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed dismissed Sifuna’s claim that the ODM–UDA memorandum of understanding (MoU) is no longer valid.
Raila and Ruto signed the 10-point MoU on March 7 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, covering issues including the right to protest and efforts to curb wastage of public funds.
Speaking at a public rally on Friday, Junet insisted that only Raila himself had the authority to declare the MoU null and void.
“We are in ODM, and we are part of the broad-based government. In that government, there was an MoU that was signed. The only person who can declare that the MoU is dead or alive is Baba (Raila) alone,” he said.
Junet added that ODM’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration was intentional and essential for national stability.
“We don’t want anarchy and chaos in our country. We are not fools; we know how to manage our affairs, and those who are jealous should give us space. We want to continue supporting the broad-based government so that money can trickle down from the top to the bottom,” he added.
ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga also rebuked Sifuna, saying the party had never officially withdrawn from the MoU.
“Raila Odinga has never instructed us to leave the agreement. So, if you speak against the broad-based government, you’re not speaking on behalf of ODM,” Wanga said.
Raila, however, defended Sifuna, explaining that it was the secretary general who signed the memorandum with Ruto’s party and was therefore best placed to speak on such matters.
Speaking in Kiswahili, Raila said: “Tulifanya mazungumzo na serikali. Ni Sifuna aliandika hiyo memoranda. Alikuja kuniwasilisha, nikamuuliza, ‘Mmesoma? Mmekubaliana? Ni nzuri?’ Akasema ndiyo. Nikasema basi tuweke sahihi. Lengo lilikuwa kushughulikia masuala ya dharura ili serikali isonge mbele,” said Raila.
Raila Odinga: We agreed that there would be compensation for the victims of the Gen Z movement, and for the more than 70 people who lost their lives in 2023, as well as all those who were injured. We will also review everything we agreed upon during the formation of the… pic.twitter.com/wq7nzjWAD8
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 25, 2025
Raila also criticised President Ruto and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen over their “shoot-to-kill and disable” orders issued after the June 25 and Saba Saba protests.
“Mwingine alisema raia akikaribia kituo cha polisi, piga risasi. Mwambieni huyo mpumbavu, huwezi kumpiga risasi mwanadamu kama mnyama. Usiseme eti mpige mguu aende hospitali. Hiyo ni nje ya mipaka ya utu na sheria,” Raila said.
He further spoke passionately about the young people who lost their lives during the violent anti-government protests.
“We agreed that there would be compensation for the victims of the Gen Z movement and for the more than 70 people who lost their lives in 2023, as well as all those who were injured. We will also review everything we agreed upon during the formation of the broad-based government,” he said.
Sifuna’s criticism of Ruto has drawn reactions from across the political spectrum. Butere MP Tindi Mwale, speaking at an ODM event in Kakamega attended by Raila and Sifuna, defended the embattled secretary general.
“Huyu Edwin Sifuna ndiye aliweka sahihi kwa ile 10-point agenda pale KICC. Ukiangalia point number 8, inasema fight against corruption. Sasa Sifuna aweke sahihi ya fight against corruption alafu yeye anyamaze corruption ikifanyika?” said Tindi.
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