Party leader says secretary general blurred personal views with official ODM policy as debate grows over coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, has publicly criticised the party’s Secretary General, Senator Edwin Sifuna, over remarks made during a Citizen TV interview, accusing him of confusing personal opinion with official party policy.
In a detailed statement issued on Wednesday, Dr Oginga said the comments, aired on Tuesday, 3 February, had sparked unnecessary public debate and risked misleading party members and supporters at a critical moment as ODM positions itself ahead of the 2027 general elections and possible coalition negotiations.
Read: Ruth Odinga backs Sifuna as ODM rift deepens over Ruto–Raila MoU
“As the Party Leader of ODM, I am discharged with the responsibility to oversee and steer the leadership of the party in the national interest and in the sustainability of our beloved party,” Dr Oginga said.
He stressed that while ODM encourages internal debate, such discussions must be conducted through constitutionally recognised structures.
“ODM is a democratic movement that accommodates debate and internal discourse,” he said.
“However, ODM policy is not shaped by individual preference; it is the product of structured deliberation through properly constituted party organs.”
Confusion over party positions
Dr Oginga said the Secretary General had, in recent months, “occasionally struggled to distinguish between his personal opinions and official party policy”, a situation he said had “understandably created confusion among members and supporters”.
He acknowledged that Sen Sifuna had correctly outlined ODM’s ideological foundations during the interview, including “social democracy, equity, justice, devolution, constitutionalism, and inclusive governance”.
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“These principles have always provided the compass for our political engagements, including coalition building,” Dr Oginga said. “This has been Baba’s philosophy and guiding principle, and one that I will continue to uphold.”
However, he said the interview also contained assertions that misled the public on the legitimacy of certain party organs and office holders.
“ODM has, since its inception, demonstrated fidelity to its Constitution and to the rule of law,” he said. “The same principle has put every individual in their rightful position, including that of Sen Sifuna.”
Dispute over legitimacy of officials
Dr Oginga rejected claims questioning the legality of national officials elected through the National Governing Council (NGC), saying all current office holders were serving substantively and with full party backing.
“We want to state categorically that all party officials are serving substantially and are supported by party organ resolutions,” he said.
Addressing Sen Sifuna’s remarks directly, Dr Oginga said the Secretary General had overlooked a key fact.
“When Sen 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,” the statement said.
“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 National Delegates Convention subsequently endorsed him.”
“One cannot selectively invalidate the very processes that conferred legitimacy upon oneself,” Dr Oginga added.
Coalition talks and internal contradictions
The ODM leader also highlighted what he described as contradictions in Sen Sifuna’s public position on coalition negotiations.
“In July 2025, on the same public platform, he expressed the view that ODM could not afford to wait until 2027 to deliberate on its post-election strategy,” Dr Oginga said. “Today, he questions the urgency of initiating discussions with potential pre-election partners.”
“As a responsible political party preparing to form the next government, we must plan ahead,” he added. “Strategic engagement is not panic; it is prudence.”
He warned that “democratic space does not equal chaos” and expressed concern over what he termed frequent references to other political coalitions rather than ODM’s own structures and agenda.
Call for unity and discipline
Dr Oginga said the party remained committed to engaging the government and other stakeholders in pursuit of national interests and inclusive governance.
“We cannot achieve this when we cannot talk to the government and other stakeholders,” he said.
He also announced plans for an inter-generational national conclave aimed at strengthening ODM and ensuring representation across generations.
“ODM remains united, strong, and anchored in its founding values,” the statement said. “Debate is welcome, but it must be responsible and aligned with party discipline.”
“No individual, however senior, is above the collective decisions of the party,” Dr Oginga said.
He concluded by urging members to remain focused and disciplined, reiterating that ODM’s objective remained “to build a just, inclusive, and democratic Kenya”.
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