Sifuna, the Nairobi Senator stressed that he remains true to the voices of ordinary Kenyans and that his leadership reflects their aspirations.

“You are the ones who sent me,” Sifuna declared, highlighting that his positions come from the people he represents, even as critics threaten his position within the party.

Taking a firm stance against aligning with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Sifuna told the crowd that the group would not support policies that do not align with ODM’s values or the late Raila Odinga’s vision.

He also challenged those who once doubted the rally’s success, quoting opponents who said, “we will not enter Busia, where are we now?” to applause from supporters.

Thousands of supporters turned up at the Busia event as part of the newly launched Linda Mwananchi tour, a grassroots mobilisation initiative aimed at strengthening the party’s base and charting its direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Sifuna’s remarks come amid escalating internal debates within ODM over cooperation with the national government and the route the party should take as it prepares for future elections

The post Edwin Sifuna Rallies ODM in Busia, Rejects UDA Tie-Up Ahead of 2027 appeared first on Insider Bits News.

In a candid interview on a local TV station that aired Tuesday, February 4, 2026, the ODM Secretary-General challenged the legitimacy of the succession process that followed the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in October 2025.

“The installation of Oburu Oginga as interim party leader was not procedural in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” Sifuna stated emphatically during the interview.

“What I would have advised had I been in that meeting is allow one of the deputies they can even act for one month and in 3 months’ time, call for a special NDC and do it procedurally and properly.”

The Nairobi Senator revealed he was absent from the crucial meeting where Oburu was installed as interim leader.

“I was not in that meeting because I was going to fetch my party leader to bring Baba back home. I don’t think anybody considers me important enough to be waited upon and they have their reasons why they did it in the manner they did,” he explained.

According to Sifuna, Article 17 of the ODM constitution stipulates that deputy party leaders should perform duties in rotation until a National Delegates Convention (NDC) is convened to elect a leader.

“We had three deputy party leaders. They should have agreed on a rotation until the party formally elected a new leader through the NDC,” Sifuna said, emphasizing that following constitutional procedures is necessary to legitimize Oburu’s leadership.

The three deputy party leaders at the time were Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.

Under proper procedure, Sifuna argues, any of these officials should have temporarily assumed leadership duties until a special National Delegates Convention could be convened.

The succession controversy has exposed deep fissures within ODM.

Sifuna has also raised eyebrows over the funding of the controversial “Linda Ground” forums being conducted by the Oburu-Gladys Wanga faction across the country.

“I can state authoritatively here that the money and the resources you see being spent in those ODM rallies, the so-called Linda Ground forums, are not coming from ODM headquarters,” Sifuna declared.

As one of the party’s official signatories to the party bank account, he confirmed he has not signed off on any funds for these activities.

The Linda Ground initiative has been holding consultative forums in Kakamega, Busia, Kisii and Nyamira counties, ostensibly to gather views from ODM delegates on whether the party should enter pre-coalition talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Despite speculation about his imminent removal as Secretary-General, Sifuna remained defiant about his position within the party.

“I am in ODM, and nobody can kick me out of ODM. I have no intention of leaving. You don’t have to be an official to be a member of the party,” he stated firmly.

When pressed about the possibility of being ousted at a future NDC, Sifuna displayed remarkable equanimity.

“It is okay. There is nowhere it is written that Sifuna can be the only one who is SG,” he observed, adding that “I have young people in ODM who, I know for a fact, if they are given the opportunity, they can do this job even better than Sifuna or all the other SGs that have served before.”

The succession drama traces back to October 15, 2025, when Raila Odinga collapsed during a morning walk at a health facility in Kerala, India, where he was receiving treatment for diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease. He died from cardiac arrest at age 80.

Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother and Siaya Senator, was swiftly installed as interim party leader by the National Executive Council (NEC) shortly after Raila’s death.

The appointment was later ratified by the National Governing Council (NGC) on November 13, 2025, ahead of the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

However, critics like Sifuna argue that the process bypassed proper constitutional channels and created a legitimacy crisis within Kenya’s main opposition party.

The constitutional battle within ODM comes at a crucial time as the party navigates potential pre-coalition talks with the ruling UDA party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The split between Sifuna and the Oburu-Wanga faction reflects deeper divisions over the party’s direction and its relationship with President Ruto’s government.

Sifuna has been a vocal critic of any alliance with UDA, emphasizing values-based politics over transactional arrangements.

“ODM values are supremacy of party members, social and economic justice, respect for constitutionalism and the rule of law, respect for individual and people’s rights and freedoms, democratic governance, and people’s participation. Any partner must mirror these values,” he said.

The unfolding drama within ODM will likely intensify as the party prepares for what could be a contentious National Delegates Convention, where leadership positions, including Sifuna’s role as Secretary-General, may be decided by delegates rather than party bosses.

For now, the constitutional purist from Nairobi remains unbowed, insisting on proper procedure even as the party leadership he helped build appears ready to move on without him.

The post “Not Procedural”: Sifuna Declares Oburu’s ODM Installation Unconstitutional appeared first on Insider Bits News.

In a complaint filed through Aguko, Osman & Company Advocates, Senator Oketch accuses Sifuna of illegally usurping powers reserved for the Party Leader by allegedly engaging in coalition negotiations without authority.

The complaint cites Article 16(1)(f) of the ODM Constitution, which states: “The Party Leader shall lead the Party at political negotiations to form a working coalition with any other Party or Parties with the sole purpose of forming the Government as may be desirable in the circumstances.”

According to Oketch, Sifuna acted outside this provision by purporting to negotiate or pronounce himself on coalition matters, despite not holding the mandate to do so.

The ODM chair further accuses the senator of indiscipline and dishonesty, alleging that he publicly disowned the party’s participation in the Broad-Based Government arrangement even though the position had been formally adopted by the relevant party organs.

The letter argues that such conduct violates Article 11(1)(e) of the party constitution, which requires members to: “Observe discipline, the Party’s Code of Conduct and obey lawful decisions made by the Party organs.”

Oketch also claims Sifuna frustrated ODM’s objectives under Article 7(1)(aa), which lists among the party’s aims

“To enter into coalition with political parties pursuing similar objectives in the Republic of Kenya.”

He contends that Sifuna’s repeated public pronouncements against coalition arrangements undermined the party’s strategic direction and progress, which he was instead expected to champion as Secretary General.

Further, the complaint accuses Sifuna of reckless and deliberate sabotage by allegedly disclosing confidential party information, including sensitive details about the funding of ODM’s 2022 presidential campaign.

According to the letter, Sifuna:

“Made public remarks on confidential Party affairs concerning the Party’s funding of the 2022 Presidential campaigns particularly the source of some funds and their dispatch.”

The disclosure, it argues, breached Article 11(1)(f) of the ODM Constitution, which obligates members to refrain from publishing or distributing confidential information without proper authorization.

The complaint describes the senator as being “on rampage and completely out to sabotage the Party,” adding:

“He has self-declared himself ‘Waziri wa Sherehe’ and seemingly got lost in the ‘Sherehe’ and no longer prioritizes the progress of the Party.”

Citing Article 18(1)(e) of the party constitution, which entrusts the chairperson with enforcing discipline and order, Oketch is seeking Sifuna’s immediate suspension from discharging duties or presenting himself as ODM Secretary General.

He also wants Sifuna de-whipped and recalled from all parliamentary leadership positions and committees, arguing that those roles were enabled by ODM membership whose ideologies he allegedly no longer subscribes to.

Further, the chairperson asks that Sifuna be deemed to have resigned from the party, with his name struck off the party register under Section 14A(2) and (3) of the Political Parties Act, or, in the alternative, that formal disciplinary proceedings be commenced to expel him under Section 14B of the same law.

However, Senator Sifuna has dismissed the complaint as baseless and politically motivated, accusing Senator Oketch of resurrecting a matter that had previously failed.

“Senator Eddy Oketch is once again the complainant against his colleague Senator Edwin Sifuna over allegations that have no legal legs to stand on,” Sifuna said.

“He was the hired assassin against us and lost and together with ODM were ordered to pay us costs. He will most certainly lose again should he continue with this misadventure.”

Sifuna said he had personally spoken to Oketch and urged him to withdraw the complaint to avoid reputational damage.

“I have spoken to him directly and asked him to withdraw this letter at least to save his reputation,” he said.

Quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Sifuna remarked:“You will go far, very far indeed, but in the wrong direction.”

He maintained that his criticisms of ODM were longstanding and that party members deserved honesty.

“ODM faithfuls deserve to know the truth. The people who treated Baba, ODM and ODM members as ATM machines are now being exposed,” Sifuna said, adding:

“Those receiving weekly payments and billing three sources for the same goods and services are known.”

The dispute now places ODM’s internal cohesion under fresh strain as party organs consider whether to escalate the matter through formal disciplinary channels.

The post ODM Chair Oketch seeks to Expel Sifuna Over Coalition Talks, Discipline Breach appeared first on Insider Bits News.