Sifuna: ‘The day ODM backs Ruto, I will resign’

“The day the party decides it wants to support [President William] Ruto come 2027, I will resign.”

These were the blunt words of ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna during a charged rally at Lukhome Grounds in Saboti, Trans Nzoia County, where he warned his party against shifting allegiance to President Ruto.

Mr Sifuna told supporters that while he respects ODM’s internal democracy, he would not be part of any decision to endorse the president’s re-election bid.

“Raila himself has said this is a democratic party and any member is free to speak their mind,” he said. “But that is one line I won’t read. Even if they give it to Jared Okello [Nyando MP] to read, I won’t.”

The Nairobi Senator was reacting to recent speculation that a section of ODM members are warming up to Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.

He accused some party leaders of abandoning opposition ideals for personal gain.

Mr Sifuna added that he would not be intimidated by critics who claim he is disloyal for speaking out.

“If you want a Secretary-General who just says yes to everything, pick someone else,” he said.

Crowds cheered as the ODM official outlined his unwavering stand, insisting that supporting Ruto would be a betrayal of the struggles many ODM supporters have endured.

The rally in Saboti drew thousands of ODM supporters, many of whom chanted party slogans and waved placards rejecting any form of political alignment with the current regime.

Mr Sifuna’s remarks come amid growing internal tensions within the Azimio la Umoja coalition, as some of its members explore bipartisan cooperation with the government.

The ODM Secretary-General’s visit to Trans Nzoia is part of his ongoing grassroots engagement tour to revitalise party support ahead of the 2027 General Election.