Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga has sharply criticised the party’s Secretary General Edwin Sifuna over claims that the ODM leader is not duly elected, escalating an already simmering internal dispute within the opposition party.
In a strongly worded letter issued on Friday, Oburu accused Sifuna of contradiction and warned that “no one is bigger than the party.” He said the Secretary General had, in recent months, struggled to separate personal opinion from official party policy, a situation he argued has caused confusion among ODM members and supporters.
The Siaya Senator took issue with Sifuna’s assertions questioning the legitimacy of his leadership, insisting that all current ODM officials are serving lawfully and with the backing of resolutions passed by the party’s organs.
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“ODM has, since its inception, demonstrated fidelity to its Constitution and to the rule of law. The same principle has put every individual in their rightful position, including that of Sen. Sifuna,” Oburu said. “We want to state categorically that all party officials are serving substantially and supported by party organ resolutions.”
Oburu further accused Sifuna of inconsistency, noting that the Secretary General himself previously served in the same position without endorsement from the National Delegates Convention (NDC) and did not challenge the arrangement when it worked in his favour.
“When Sifuna questioned the legality of some national officials on the basis that they were elected by the National Governing Council, he overlooked a fundamental fact: he himself was elected Secretary General by the same organ in February 2018 and discharged the functions of that office fully and effectively until February 2022, when the NDC subsequently endorsed him,” Oburu stated.
Despite the sharp rebuke, Oburu did not indicate whether the party was considering disciplinary action against Sifuna, even as internal wrangles continue to intensify.
The ODM now appears split between leaders aligned with Sifuna, who argue the party should chart an independent political course, and those pushing for cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Sifuna has maintained that he will not resign from his position, despite raising concerns about the party’s direction, including allegations that ODM activities are being funded by the government, which he says would be contrary to the law.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV earlier this week, Sifuna said his ODM membership remains intact and insisted that the only way he could vacate office would be through a delegates’ conference.
On Thursday, the dispute took another turn after Oburu’s sister, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, publicly defended Sifuna over his criticism of a proposed pre-election agreement between ODM and UDA.
In a statement, Ruth argued that Sifuna should not be branded a rebel, drawing parallels with the political approach of her late brother Raila Odinga.
“If indeed he is a ‘rebel’, then how many times was Raila Odinga one? Even in the ‘nusu mkate’ government, Raila would still stand his ground,” she said. “If the MoU has not been honoured, with less than 30 days to its expiry, what is so ‘treasonous’ about Sifuna publicly declaring it obsolete?”
The exchange underscores growing divisions within ODM as the party grapples with questions of leadership, strategy, and possible cooperation with the ruling coalition ahead of future elections.