The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has reaffirmed its commitment to the broad-based government arrangement with President William Ruto's administration until the 2027 General Election.
In a media press briefing on Monday, October 27, the party also demanded that the government settle billions of shillings owed to ODM in political party funding.
Speaking after the party's first National Executive Committee meeting since former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's passing, Sifuna strongly appealed to the National Government to release pending funds.
"We wish to appeal to the National Government that the constitutional provision for the funding of political parties is a yawning gap that has seen ODM owed billions in political party remittances," Sifuna stated.
He added that honoring Raila's legacy would be best demonstrated by settling the party's financial obligations.
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"We believe that the best way for the National Government to honour the late Raila Odinga is to release the money owed to the party so that our programmes can run and the legacy of our leader can remain secure," he said.
In a significant announcement, ODM officially declared its continued participation in the broad-based government arrangement.
"We reiterate the party's commitment to the broad-based government until 2027, a relationship guided by the 10-point agenda entered into for the sake of peace and stability of the country," Sifuna stated.
The National Executive Committee endorsed Dr. Oburu Oginga, Raila's elder brother, as the new acting party leader.
"We endorse Hon. Dr. Oburu Oginga as a new acting party leader and urge the party rank and file to accord him all the necessary support and cooperation to enable him to guide the party through this difficult time," Sifuna announced.
ODM announced plans to hold memorial services across the country to allow millions of Kenyans whose lives were touched by Raila to commemorate his legacy. The memorials are scheduled: Kilifi County (Magarini) - November 2-3, Homa Bay - November 5, and Migori - November 6.
Additionally, the party confirmed that its 20th anniversary celebrations will proceed as planned on November 14-16 in Mombasa County, with activities to cement unity and solidarity within the party.
"Given Hon. Raila's love for ODM, we believe he has joined the nearest branch of ODM in heaven. We shall honour him here on earth by strengthening existing branches and opening new ones to allow as many of his supporters as possible to stay closely with him via the party," Sifuna said.
The confirmation of ODM's commitment to the broad-based government comes amid earlier mixed signals from party officials about the party's strategy for 2027.
Speaking at NTV hours before the official press briefing, ODM deputy party leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir had addressed whether ODM would be willing to provide a deputy presidential candidate if Kenya Kwanza approached them for a partnership.
Nassir outlined a consultative process involving multiple party organs, emphasizing that such decisions would require extensive internal consultation.
The governor also acknowledged that this would significantly depart from ODM's traditional strategy.
"Since ODM was formed 20 years ago, this would be the first time that ODM goes into an election, not as the lead in a presidential ticket," he admitted.
During Raila's funeral on October 19, President William Ruto had hinted at a potential partnership with ODM, stating that the party would either form or be part of the next government.
"By the grace of God, ODM will either form the government or be part of the next government," Ruto had said.
However, at the same event, Sifuna had struck a different tone, insisting that ODM would not play second fiddle to any other outfit in 2027. He referenced statements made by Raila in September before his death, urging ODM to prepare independently for the 2027 General Election.
