Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has declared he will exit the party if it endorses President William Ruto’s re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Sunday, August 3 in Saboti, Trans Nzoia County, Sifuna said he is willing to read all ODM statements except if they pass a resolution to back President Ruto in 2027.
“I am ready to read all ODM statements, even if they insult me, I’ll read them out. But the day they decide that the ODM party will support Ruto in 2027, I want to say before you and before God, that’s something I will not read,” said Sifuna.
The Nairobi Senator asked Nyando Member of Parliament to be ready to take over the ODM Secretary General position the day the party backs President Ruto’s re-election.
“They’ll have to find someone else to read it. I’ve heard them say my friend Jared Okello is ready to do it because he speaks English well.
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“Okello, be ready to take up my role anytime. The day they say ODM is supporting Ruto, I won’t be part of that,” Sifuna added.
The ODM SG has been a vocal critic of President Ruto’s broad-based government and the MoU between ODM and UDA.
In an interview on Tuesday, July 22, Sifuna said removing President Ruto from office is a national priority agenda.
He argued that the Ruto administration has failed to respect the constitution and human rights.
“I want William Ruto to know that his removal from office is a national priority agenda; it is the only agenda because his government is totally opposed to what the Constitution stands for,” Sifuna stated.
On July 25, ODM leader Raila Odinga defended Sifuna’s criticism of the government, saying every ODM party member has the right to express their opinion.
Odinga noted that the party does not muzzle voices within the party, even when it involves challenging his own decisions.
"Everybody has a right to speak their mind. That is democracy, and that is what ODM stands for; there will be differences of opinion, and that is okay. If Sifuna has spoken, he has a right to do so, and if you differ with him, then speak out,” said Odinga.
