Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has said he will not support the party if it backs President William Ruto in the upcoming general election.
Sifuna, who spoke in Trans Nzoia on Sunday, said he is willing to read all statements from ODM, even those that insult him, but not one endorsing Ruto for 2027.
“Since I am the Secretary General of the party, I will read all the resolutions from ODM, even if they insult me, except one. But the day the party decides it wants to support Ruto come 2027, that one I will not read,” he said.
He added that if the party were to go in that direction, he would welcome anyone ready to replace him.
“Some have said Nyando MP Jared Okelo is better than me because he speaks good English. Be ready if you want to take up my role. If they endorse Ruto, I won’t be a part of that,” he added.
The Senator backed ODM leader Raila Odinga’s recent remarks about party democracy, saying he has the right to express his views independently.
“Raila has said that this is a democratic party, and any member is free to speak their mind. Those who say I cannot hold views independent of the party just because I am the Secretary General, and that I must represent the party at all times, I want to tell you that Raila has said I can speak my mind,” he said.
Sifuna has been a consistent critic of any potential alliance between ODM and Ruto’s UDA party, warning that such a move could damage ODM’s standing as a people-centred movement and compromise its prospects beyond the 2027 election.
Speaking on Citizen TV on July 24, Sifuna said he would resign if the party endorses Ruto.
“The only reason I haven’t resigned is because there’s still some glimmer of hope that my party will eventually see the merger as untenable. If the party decides to go ahead with the merger in 2027, then I will have no option but to resign as SG,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has defended Sifuna in the wake of mounting criticism from within the party, saying he welcomes divergent opinions.
