Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has caused a fresh political stir after stating he would willingly resign if the party leadership asked him to do so.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday night, Sifuna addressed ongoing internal tensions within the party and growing public criticism surrounding ODM’s recent cooperation with the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration.
He acknowledged that his continued opposition to the handshake between ODM and Kenya Kwanza has put him at odds with some party loyalists.
“If the leadership of ODM were to ask me to step down as Secretary General, I wouldn’t hesitate,” Sifuna said. “When I was appointed to this position, I was asked if I was ready to take on the responsibility, and I said yes.
If the same person who trusted me then were to say today, ‘Sifuna, I no longer have confidence in you,’ I would not hold on. I’d step aside without a second thought.”
His comments come amid rising frustration from some ODM members and supporters who feel the party is abandoning its watchdog role in favour of a more subdued partnership with the government. Critics argue that this shift undermines the opposition’s purpose, and Sifuna has found himself defending the party’s new approach against mounting dissent.
Despite the controversy, Sifuna insisted he still believes in ODM’s core values and mission, and that he remains committed to the party’s grassroots supporters.
“I haven’t resigned yet because I haven’t given up. I still believe in ODM members. I know that within the party, there’s still faith that Baba (Raila Odinga) has the wisdom to do what’s right for Kenyans,” he said.
Sifuna made it clear that if a time ever comes when he no longer believes ODM is serving its intended purpose, he will be open about it. “The day I lose hope, I will come out and say it openly—that I’ve failed in my mission to steer ODM back on course,” he noted.
Responding to claims that he might join or form a new party with ODM leader Raila Odinga, Sifuna dismissed any associations with emerging parties like the Green Thinking Action Party.
“I don’t need to be Secretary General to make a difference,” he stated. “I’d rather be a small fish in a big ocean than a big fish in a small pond with no influence or direction.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, Sifuna expressed confidence that ODM still has the strength and leadership to present a strong presidential contender. He rejected claims that the party is running out of viable leaders or political ideas.
“ODM hasn’t run out of talent. We’re still capable of producing strong candidates,” he emphasized. “When it comes to 2027, we can’t let emotions guide us. This is not about personal feelings.”
He underlined that the ultimate political goal must be unseating President William Ruto, even if it means forming unlikely alliances. “This mission to remove Ruto from office is too important to be sentimental about. We won’t be working with saints—after all, I’m not a saint either,” he joked.
Sifuna also addressed the possibility of partnering with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who is being considered by some as a future opposition figure. While he acknowledged that Matiang’i has a controversial record, he didn’t rule out working with him.
“Everyone has a history and some faults. Matiang’i is no exception,” Sifuna said. “But if he’s willing to join the effort to defeat Ruto, then so be it.”
His remarks are expected to fuel further debate within ODM over its current political direction, internal unity, and the leadership choices it must make as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, ODM has officially announced that it will hold its National Delegates Convention (NDC) in October 2025. The NDC will be a crucial event where the party will elect its national leadership team and begin charting a new path forward as it positions itself for the next electoral cycle.
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