Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has sounded a resounding alarm over what he calls a deepening identity crisis within the party, accusing ODM’s leadership of betraying its core ideals by aligning with a government it once firmly opposed.
In a fiery interview on Citizen TV tonight, Sifuna delivered an unflinching critique of the party’s current trajectory, saying ODM has lost its ideological compass and is now “confused” — both in vision and in leadership.
“ODM is confused, and so is its leadership. We are supporting a third party, far from what we stand for. I have not given up, but if I ever do, I will openly say it,” Sifuna declared, his voice echoing the growing disillusionment among the party’s traditional support base.
His comments come amid growing tensions within ODM ranks, sparked by the party’s controversial decision to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President William Ruto’s government — a move Sifuna says was ill-advised and dishonorable to the party’s legacy.
“I am on record advising ODM not to enter into any MoU with this government. The government doesn’t respect it. Baba’s vision is blurry and cannot be clear with these current ties. I said from the start this MoU was dead,” he stated with firm conviction.
While acknowledging that ODM’s engagement with the government was initially driven by humanitarian concerns, Sifuna insists that the agreement has yielded no tangible relief for the suffering Kenyan people — and has instead left the party morally compromised and strategically cornered.
With ODM leader Raila Odinga signaling continued cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration until 2027, Sifuna raised a stark warning about the political consequences.
“Our party leader’s position is to stay with the government until 2027, but my worry is we will not have time to prepare ODM for the elections. We risk failing to field a serious candidate, and we will have to explain to Kenyans why we supported an unpopular government,” Sifuna warned.
His defiance didn’t end there. Responding to recent remarks by President Ruto threatening disciplinary action over his dissent, Sifuna delivered a cutting retort.
“Ruto cannot discipline me. He is not a member of ODM. Only ODM structures can discipline me. His threats are baseless,” he said, dismissing the President’s remarks as politically hollow.
Sifuna’s blunt commentary has exposed widening rifts within ODM, where the Secretary General now appears to be singing from a different hymn sheet than the party leader.
His boldness has reenergized debates around the party’s soul, direction, and its place in the hearts of Kenyans who once believed it stood for principled opposition and social justice.
As the party navigates a turbulent new chapter, Sifuna’s words have struck a chord — one that may redefine ODM’s future and its moral claim to leadership in the eyes of a watching nation.
