Orange Democratic Party (ODM) Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has finally clarified the conditions under which his party can work with President William Ruto and potentially support his re-election bid in 2027, following weeks of speculation and political tension.
Sifuna has in recent months emerged as one of the fiercest critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration, even after ODM joined the ruling coalition under the broad-based government arrangement.
His hardline stance had previously seen him declare that he would rather resign from his position in the party than support President Ruto’s re-election, a statement that stirred sharp debate within ODM and beyond.
However, speaking on Wednesday during a public engagement, Sifuna appeared to soften his position while firmly maintaining that ODM’s future cannot be dictated by individuals.
He stated that the only way the party can support President Ruto is through the will of the people.
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“ODM is a democratic party. No single leader, including myself, has the authority to decide its political direction alone,” Sifuna said. “The people of Kenya, and especially ODM supporters, must be consulted and allowed to decide what they want.”
According to the senator, if party members and Kenyans at large resolve that backing President Ruto’s re-election is in their best interest, then the party should respect that decision.
Equally, he argued that if the public believes ODM should field its own candidate in 2027 — including himself or any other qualified leader — then that option must remain open.
Sifuna also dismissed claims from critics who accuse him of plotting to “sell out” the party to the ruling coalition.
He insisted that his loyalty lies with ODM’s core principles of democracy, social justice, and people-driven leadership.
His remarks come at a time when ODM is grappling with internal debate over its role in the broad-based government and its long-term political strategy ahead of the 2027 general election.
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