A few days ago, Edwin Sifuna as the ODM Secretary General was furious about ODM Linda Ground Campaign which was going on very well and inspiring as ODM leaders were going around telling Kenyans to be vigilant about their country and most importantly to register as voters now when there is a chance to do that.
“I can state authoritatively that the resources you see being spent in ODM rallies, the so-called Linda Ground, are not coming from ODM headquarters,” said the outspoken Nairobi Senator.
That was Sifuna attacking Dr. Oburu Oginga and ODM leadership for holding Linda Ground rallies, now the same Sifuna is launching his own “LINDA MWANANCHI” rallies.
Who is funding his rallies like he was asking who was funding ODM Linda Ground? What is the difference between his rallies and what the ODM was already doing other him and his buddies dying for some publicity?
What exactly does funding mean to Sifuna because he has been talking about that dating back to 2022. Do ODM members get paid to come to rallies? How much is the payment?
Can they get it through MPESA because some of my sisters and nephews who attend these events would like to know how Sifuna and his friends spend money for ODM to have events. Why are the ODM members being insulted leaders claiming that they are so greedy and have to be paid by somebody to even stand up for their country.
The reason Edwin Sifuna is launching his own Linda Ground movement is because his attack on ODM because the party leadership took the Linda Ground battle to Kenyans is probably the most stupid political statement he has ever made in his life. Now he wants to recover from that and there is no problem with that, but people are getting tired of the petty giggling every day from ODM leaders.
Now they are taking their little fights to a new level with the likes of Robert Alai who pretty much has nothing to do with ODM leadership jumping in to throw their own dirt there. Enough is Enough.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has sparked fresh controversy within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) by accusing Secretary General Edwin Sifuna of showing blatant disrespect toward acting Party Leader Oburu Oginga.
In a post on X on Thursday, Alai wrote: “Yaani Sifuna amedharau our Party Leader mpaka our party leader is reduced to engaging junior party leaders like Sifuna through press conferences?”
The tweet referenced a detailed statement issued earlier by Oburu, responding to Sifuna’s remarks during a February 3 interview on a local TV station.
Dispute over party appointments and coalition strategy
In the interview, Sifuna questioned the legitimacy of certain party appointments, including Oburu’s installation as interim leader following Raila Odinga’s transition to the African Union Commission chairmanship.
Sifuna also cautioned against early coalition talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that such discussions could compromise ODM’s ideological stance. Oburu’s response pushed back firmly, stressing that party policy is determined by constitutionally mandated organs, not by individual opinions.
Here is the deal for ODM and the country to look into and time is running out. Instead of wasting time in the petty fights of the likes of Sifuna and Robert Alai etc, ODM should focus their Linda Ground campaign across the country to focus on one thing that President William Ruto and the late Raila Amolo Odinga promised Kenyans and that is the compensation for the victims of state violence.
That compensation committee is doing nothing right now. ODM should keep their talks with the president on that issue which started some time back to get the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) into the compensation team and give KNHCR leadership of the team as required by law and get the process off the ground then work on the timeline to complete the process.
This the best time for the compensation process to be finalized and everything is done. Right now, Gachagua and Kalonzo are hoping to drag Gen Z Kenyans back to the streets to support Gachagua battles in churches.
If President Ruto and ODM can get something real like the compensation done the little theatre by the losing opposition will just die a natural death which is great for the opposition because they need something at least to bury since they have nothing else to do.
The NADCO 10 Point deal between ODM and President Ruto is there and should be implemented but there are practical things like the compensation for victims of state violence already agreed and it should be done in the next three months and then the country moves from there.
STATEMENT BY ODM LEADER: DR OBURU OGINGA
First, as the Party Leader of ODM am discharged with responsibility to oversight and steer the leadership of the Party and its mandate in the national interest and sustainability of our beloved Party.
In this capacity I would like to state that ODM is a democratic movement that accommodates debate, and internal discourse. That said, it is important to address certain concerns.
In recent months, the Secretary General has occasionally struggled to distinguish between his personal opinions and official Party policy as determined by our constitutionally mandated organs. This has, understandably, created confusion among members and supporters. ODM policy is not shaped by individual preference; it is the product of structured deliberation through properly constituted Party organs.
In this recent interview, the Secretary General rightly restated the ideological foundations of ODMsocial democracy, equity, justice, devolution, constitutionalism, and the pursuit of inclusive governance. These principles have always provided the compass for our political engagements, including coalition building. They will continue to guide our strategy as we navigate the evolving political landscape and consider future alliances. This has been Baba’s philosophy and guiding principle that I will continue to uphold.
However, the interview also contained assertions that misled the public regarding 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. The same principle has put every individual in their rightful position, including that of Sen. Sifuna. We want to state categorically that all Party officials are serving substantially and supported by the Party organ resolutions.
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: he himself was elected Secretary General by the same organ in February 2018 and discharged the functions of that offiče 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. It was also difficult not to note the contradiction in the Secretary General’s position regarding pre-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. 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. Strategic engagement is not panic; it is prudence. And democratic space does not equal chaos. Let it also be known that frequent reference to other coalitions and not ODM’s is a concern and needs to be keenly mitigated on.
In the interest of continuing with Baba’s policy and desire for better Kenya, we will continue to fight for the right of every individual in this country. This we cannot achieve when we can’t talk to the government and other stakeholders. We are therefore committed to inter-generational national conclave to create a stronger Party where every generation is represented and given opportunity.
Let me reiterate: ODM remains united, strong, and anchored in its founding values. 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.
We shall continue to engage our members, consult our organs, and pursue negotiations guided by our ideology and the interests of the Kenyan people. Our objective remains clear: to build a just, inclusive, and democratic Kenya.
I call upon all members to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to our shared vision.
Sen. Dr. Oburu Oginga.
PARTY LEADER
