Edwin Sifuna Explains Why He Won't Resign from ODM Before 2027

Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna has defended his decision to remain a member of ODM while refusing to seek re-election on its ticket. 

He argues that quitting his seat ten months before the general election would needlessly burden the country and the taxpayer.

Sifuna, while speaking to journalists from his office in Nairobi on Friday, October 9, insisted he had not resigned from the party and was only declaring that he would not run on its ticket in 2027. 

He also pointed to President William Ruto's own political journey to rebut those demanding that he step down.

Asked why he should not vacate his seat, the senator turned the question back to the head of state.

"Ask William Ruto. When did William Ruto resign to join UDA? And we all understand that we have to prepare for the next election," he said.

Sifuna recently unveiled The Equitable Party (TEP) as his political vehicle for the 2027 General Election, in which he is eyeing the presidency.

He currently aligns with the Linda Mwananchi faction, which is largely made up of ODM rebels who refused to support Ruto's re-election bid. He has faced mounting pressure in recent weeks to resign as senator and seek a fresh mandate for his new party.

Sifuna argued that forcing by-elections so close to the general election would be wasteful and disruptive.

"If all of us who have decided that we will no longer seek election on ODM decided to resign our positions and go back to the people for re-election ten months to the general election, where do you think that is going to leave the country and the taxpayer? You would have a mini general election," he said.

He said the cumulative effect of such resignations would be a wave of by-elections across the country, at public expense, when the nation should be preparing for the main contest.

The senator also said political players already understand the need to position themselves for 2027. He reiterated that it is no longer possible to find political expression within ODM, a position he said he had made clear before.

He added that shifting loyalties are not limited to his camp. According to Sifuna, a number of politicians have left UDA and now back other parties, while some within ODM declared long before he did that they would support UDA in 2027.

Sifuna described the focus on his own case as unfair and selective.

"It is hypocrisy that that question is only asked to Sifuna. I've not heard any other person being asked that question," he said.

Sifuna stressed that he remains a card-carrying member of ODM and that Nairobi residents elected him on the party's ticket.

He maintained that this has not changed.

He said he regards his mandate as a five-year contract with voters. By announcing early that he will not run on ODM, he argued, he is being open with the public about his intentions.

"I'm still a member of ODM, and the people of Nairobi elected me on ODM. We have a contract for five years, but I am explaining to the public that I will not run on ODM because ODM is now in the hands of William Ruto. Where is the problem with that?" he posed.

The senator said his objection to the party stems from its current direction under Ruto's influence, which he says leaves him no room to seek re-election on its platform. He explained that he will fully quit ODM in the run-up to the general election.

His remarks add to the debate over party loyalty and legislators' mandates as the country heads into the 2027 polls.