ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
The rift within ODM continued to widen after former national chairperson John Mbadi called on the party leadership to expel Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, accusing him of repeatedly acting in defiance of party leader Oburu Oginga and the collective will of the party.
The Treasury Cabinet Secretary described Mr Sifuna as a stumbling block to the Orange party’s cohesion and success, arguing that the Nairobi senator has consistently expressed views at odds with the party’s direction.
According to Mr Mbadi, Mr Sifuna’s exit - whether voluntary or enforced - would have no adverse effect on ODM. He went further to allege that the secretary general was advancing the interests of individuals within and outside the party.
“Someone like Sifuna cannot remain in ODM because he is already conflicted. He is now selling someone else’s agenda. You cannot keep him in the party. He is pretending, please allow him to go,” Mr Mbadi said.
He added that key responsibilities of the secretary general’s office had long been reassigned, rendering Mr Sifuna’s departure inconsequential to the party’s operations.
Mr Mbadi told supporters that a designated team now holds custody of ODM’s registration documents.
Some people must leave
“Let no one mislead you that the secretary general keeps the party’s certificate. That was changed a long time ago when we created trustees. Sifuna does not even know where the ODM registration certificate is. If he has seen it, let him take a photo and post it on WhatsApp,” he said.
Speaking during a fundraising drive at Kisaku Primary School in Gwasi, the former Member of Parliament for Suba South Constituency said the party could not afford to harbour leaders pursuing agendas contrary to the wishes of the majority.
“This is a critical moment. For the sake of the party’s success, some people must leave,” Mr Mbadi said.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
He assured ODM supporters that the party would remain firm and united, as it was when former Prime Minister Raila Odinga led it. He emphasised that the party’s current leader, Siaya Senator Dr Oginga, deserved the same respect accorded to his younger brother.
“As long as some of us are still here, we will ensure ODM remains strong from the grassroots. We will rally our people to stand firmly behind Oburu Oginga, who stood firmly behind Raila Odinga despite being the elder brother. He never fought his younger, brother hence we must therefore respect Oburu for the leadership he provides,” Mr Mbadi said.
Mr Sifuna has been at loggerheads with sections of the party leadership, particularly over ODM’s stance on support for President William Ruto. Elected leaders have offered differing accounts of what Mr Odinga advised before his death.
Some claim their former party leader urged them to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration, with cooperation extending beyond 2027. Others insist that ODM should remain distinct and distance itself from United Democratic Alliance (UDA), despite a Central Management Committee resolution in January to continue supporting the President.
Mr Sifuna recently led a faction of party members on a campaign tour in Busia dubbed Linda Wananchi, a move that seems to rival the Linda Ground initiative backed by other ODM leaders. Mr Sifuna was accompanied by deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, among others.
ODM Edwin Sifuna during a public rally by Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM at Busia Stadium in Busia County on February 8, 2026.
While leaders benefiting directly from the broad-based government have called for continued collaboration between ODM and UDA, Mr Sifuna and his allies have declined to support President Ruto.
Mr Mbadi said the time had come for ODM to “crack the whip”, insisting that opponents of the broad-based government should be asked to leave the party for advancing dissenting views.
He recalled convening a disciplinary committee during his tenure that led to the removal of former Secretary General Ababu Namwamba.
“He can leave with whoever he wants. The party will remain cohesive. We need unity, not a party where one leader says this and another says the opposite,” Mr Mbadi said.
Mbadi's presidential ambition
The Cabinet Secretary argued that leaders supporting the broad-based government were better positioned than those seeking alliances elsewhere.
Mr Mbadi was accompanied by Awendo MP Walter Owino and Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama.
Mr Owino echoed the sentiment, declaring that he had no intention of joining Mr Sifuna’s faction.
He said continued cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration would yield greater benefits for the lake region.
“Raila died and left us in a broad-based government. Let no one confuse us with other movements that may divide the party,” Mr Owino said.
Read: Which way Sifuna? ODM rift widens as party organ signals start of negotiations with Ruto's UDA
During the meeting, Mr Mbadi was endorsed for the 2032 presidential race. He confirmed his intention to contest after President Ruto completes his second and final term.
Mr Owino said discussions were under way with Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago to be Mr Mbadi’s running mate.
“I see great potential in Mbadi. We have met professionals from Kalenjin who have agreed to support him. They proposed Mandago as his running mate,” Mr Owino said.
Mr Kiyaya also rallied support for Mr Mbadi’s 2032 bid, saying the Cabinet Secretary was best placed to take over the country’s leadership after Dr Ruto.
