Nairobi, Kenya — April 12, 2025
President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to Nairobi Senator and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, urging him to “tread carefully” in his recent criticisms of the party and its direction. Speaking at a public event in Kakamega County, Ruto reminded Sifuna of his status as a founding member of ODM, hinting at the possibility of disciplinary action if the senator continues to challenge the party’s leadership.
“Sifuna, when you speak about me, know that I am a founding member of ODM. If you push me too far, I will call a meeting of the founding members, and we can discipline you. Let us be careful,” Ruto declared, prompting murmurs from the crowd and sparking heated discussions online.
The remarks come amid growing tensions within ODM following a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM, led by Raila Odinga, on March 7, 2025. The agreement, aimed at fostering collaboration to address national challenges like unemployment and corruption, has divided the opposition party, with Sifuna emerging as a vocal critic of the pact.
Sifuna, known for his fiery rhetoric, has repeatedly distanced himself from the MoU, insisting that it does not obligate him to align with Ruto’s government. On March 15, he clarified that the agreement did not mandate his presence at presidential functions, stating, “There is nowhere in the MoU that it was stipulated that I must follow the president in his development tours.” His absence from Ruto’s Nairobi tour on March 10, alongside other ODM lawmakers like Babu Owino and Timothy Wanyonyi, was widely interpreted as a sign of defiance.
Ruto’s claim to ODM’s founding legacy has reignited debates about the party’s origins. Formed in 2005 as a coalition to oppose then-President Mwai Kibaki’s government, ODM included Ruto among its early architects alongside Raila Odinga and others. However, Ruto parted ways with ODM after the 2007 elections, eventually forming UDA, which propelled him to the presidency in 2022. Critics argue that his invocation of founding member status is a strategic move to assert influence over ODM’s internal dynamics.
Political analyst Jane Wambui noted, “Ruto is playing a long game. By reminding Sifuna of his historical role in ODM, he’s signaling to Raila’s base that he still has a stake in the party’s future, especially as 2027 elections loom.”
Sifuna, undeterred, has maintained his hardline stance against Ruto’s administration. In February, he boldly predicted that Ruto would lose the 2027 elections, even with ODM’s support, citing public dissatisfaction with the government’s performance. “Ruto will lose that election with Raila’s support,” Sifuna told Citizen TV, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of incompetence.
The senator’s outspokenness has not gone unnoticed within ODM. On February 23, Makadara MP George Aladwa accused Sifuna of “rocking the party from within” and warned that he risked being ousted, drawing parallels to former ODM Secretary-General Ababu Namwamba’s exit in 2016. Meanwhile, ODM’s Nairobi branch has seen further fractures, with some members openly supporting Ruto’s government, while others, like Siaya Governor James Orengo, echo Sifuna’s call for the party to remain a critical opposition voice.
As the fallout from Ruto’s warning continues, all eyes are on Raila Odinga, who has yet to publicly address the spat. Insiders suggest that Raila’s next move could determine whether ODM remains united or splinters further under the weight of its newfound alliance with UDA.
For now, Sifuna shows no signs of backing down. In a cryptic post on X, he wrote, “My job is to speak truth, not to follow blindly. Nairobi elected me for that.” The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown that could reshape Kenya’s political landscape.