ODM’s October meeting to decide Edwin Sifuna’s fate and party’s 2027 path
Tensions have been building in ODM over Sifuna’s combative stance, particularly his opposition to the political deal between Raila and President William Ruto.
A meeting organised by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is expected to decide the party’s political course for 2027 — and whether Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, increasingly seen as a rebel, will retain his position.
ODM has scheduled its National Delegates Convention (NDC) for October to, among other matters, elect national officials. Observers and insiders believe growing pressure from Raila’s loyalists to remove Sifuna could succeed.
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Tensions have been building in ODM over Sifuna’s combative stance, particularly his opposition to the political deal between Raila and President William Ruto. The outspoken secretary-general has recently clashed with senior party figures, including members of Raila’s inner circle.
While Sifuna’s criticism of the Ruto–Raila pact has earned him support from some quarters, loyalists accuse him of fuelling divisions and undermining the leadership.
Sifuna has openly stated he would leave ODM if it backed Ruto’s re-election bid — a position that could put him at odds with Raila, who has signalled strong support for the president.
Beyond 2027
Raila has made clear that his cooperation with Ruto will extend beyond the 2027 elections.
"When the right time comes, we will face Kenyans and tell them why we did this and where we want to go," Raila said.
"I don't have any doubt, you can make noise the way you want, but we will be able to move beyond 2027. I am confident we will move beyond 2027, and nobody should try to threaten us."
According to party insiders, Sifuna’s public contradictions have angered senior ODM leaders.
"He seems to have crossed the red line. We are not pleased with his constant contradiction of the party and the party leader. He may soon be forced to exit," one insider told The Eastleigh Voice.
Political analyst Herman Manyora believes Sifuna could be deliberately provoking the party to push for his removal.
"If he continues in the same direction, I believe he is preparing for the worst. He could have already made an assessment of his stay in the party and now wants to exit," said Manyora.
Crisis meeting
Sifuna’s latest criticism comes just a week after ODM held a crisis meeting to adopt a unified stance on cooperation with Ruto’s administration. He has questioned the legitimacy of the Memorandum of Understanding supporting the deal, citing concerns over transparency and implementation.
During a recent TV interview, he declared the pact “dead,” referencing continued police brutality and the June 8 death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody.
"On the day Albert Ojwang dies in a police cell, for me, this agreement is dead," Sifuna said.
ODM’s Central Committee, in a meeting on July 15, resolved to summon all delegates in October to elect national officials.
"The Central Committee set October 2025 as the month for convening the National Delegates Convention (NDC)," the resolution stated.
Strip Sifuna of influence
Insiders say the NDC could strip Sifuna of influence or begin the process of replacing him as secretary-general.
Some ODM loyalists have already gone public with their demands. Last month, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma called for Sifuna’s resignation or removal, accusing him of creating confusion.
"He must resign or be thrown out of the ODM party. The faster this happens, the better," Kaluma wrote on X.
Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi dismissed Sifuna’s threats to leave the party, saying ODM has other capable spokespeople.
"If you threaten us that you can leave ODM, you are free to leave. Even Jared Okello (Nyando MP) is here; he can take up the responsibility. He has better English; he was schooled in England and has better English than these leaders purporting to be speaking for the party," Atandi said.
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