Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has once again rattled the party with his latest claim that Raila Odinga has been badly misadvised.
In what many see as open rebellion, the Nairobi Senator tore into governors, accusing them of misleading Raila on devolution matters.
Sifuna, who has been at loggerheads with ODM’s top brass and openly frustrated with the party’s recent tilt toward working with President William Ruto’s regime, insists Raila’s shocking proposals at the recent devolution conference are proof of poor counsel from ODM insiders.
Edwin Sifuna Accuses Governors of Misleading Raila Odinga
In an explosive statement delivered during a Senate Public Accounts Committee briefing, Edwin Sifuna claimed that governors are the real culprits behind what he sees as Raila Odinga’s misguided proposals on devolution.
According to the ODM Secretary General, Raila’s position that governors should only be oversighted by county assemblies instead of the Senate reflects advice that undermines the very foundation of devolution.
Sifuna did not mince his words, making it clear that the ODM leader had been swayed by bad counsel. “It is not the governors who have been misadvised. It is the governors who are misadvising our national leaders. Governors who have misadvised my party leader,” he stated firmly.
The senator noted that Raila’s proposals, including pension packages for two-term governors and a diminished Senate role, shocked many within ODM. Sifuna stressed that Raila has historically been the strongest defender of devolution, branding him “the father of devolution.” For that reason, he said he could not believe Raila would champion positions that weaken Senate oversight unless he had been misled.
This confrontation marks the latest instance of Sifuna distancing himself from ODM’s broader strategy, exposing widening cracks in the party as it navigates Kenya’s shifting political terrain.
SG Sifuna at Odds with ODM’s Strategy
Sifuna’s dissent comes at a time when ODM is under fire for its softened stance toward President Ruto’s administration. Many within the party feel that ODM, once the face of resistance, has begun warming up to the Kenya Kwanza regime in exchange for political survival.
The Nairobi Senator, however, has openly criticized these moves, portraying himself as a defender of ODM’s founding principles while refusing to follow the rest of the leadership in endorsing the party’s new realignment. Despite his constant complaints, he has stopped short of quitting ODM—a decision some insiders see as a sign of political double-dealing.
Adding to the suspicion, Sifuna has been spotted frequently with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is increasingly viewed as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s closest political ally. His proximity to Kalonzo has fueled speculation that Sifuna is preparing his own political path, one that may not include sticking with ODM for long.
For now, though, Sifuna continues to straddle the line—railing against ODM decisions, challenging Raila’s guidance, but carefully clinging to his influential role as Secretary General.
Why Edwin Sifuna’s Rebellion Matters
Edwin Sifuna’s public criticism of Raila is not just internal party squabbling—it represents the growing unease among ODM members who feel the party has lost its edge. By declaring that Raila has been misadvised, Sifuna is taking aim at the very people shaping ODM’s direction, from county governors to national strategists.
If unchecked, his rebellion risks further fragmenting the party. ODM is already grappling with defections, declining influence, and an uncertain role in the emerging political order dominated by Ruto. Sifuna’s voice, loud and defiant, is adding to the perception that ODM is in disarray.
Yet, his refusal to leave the party suggests he still sees value in its machinery and brand. The real question is whether his defiance will push ODM to reconsider its strategies—or whether it will lead to his eventual isolation.
As things stand, Edwin Sifuna has positioned himself as both ODM’s loudest critic and its reluctant loyalist. His latest salvo against governors and his bold claim that Raila has been misled is certain to deepen the intrigue around ODM’s future and the role Sifuna himself intends to play in Kenya’s fast-changing politics.
