NAIROBI, Kenya- Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna says he remains a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), but will not seek the party’s ticket in the 2027 General Election, claiming President William Ruto has influence over the party.
“I am still a member of ODM. I have not resigned,” Sifuna said in a K24 interview on Friday. “I am just saying I will not run on ODM in 2027.”
He said ODM was “in the hands of William Ruto,” a claim he cited in explaining why he would not use the party’s ticket.
Sifuna also challenged calls for him to resign from the Senate because he would not seek re-election on an ODM ticket.
He asked when Ruto had resigned from an elected position to join the United Democratic Alliance, and argued that legislators should not be pressured to leave office months before the next General Election.
“If all of us 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 will leave the country and the taxpayer?” he said, describing the prospect as a “mini general election.”
Sifuna was elected Nairobi senator on an ODM ticket and said he intended to serve his five-year term.
Sifuna says he kept promise to Raila
The senator also defended his relationship with the late ODM leader Raila Odinga and his role in the party’s internal disputes.
Sifuna said he wanted Raila to know he had kept his promise not to be the person who wrecked ODM.
He acknowledged being at the centre of controversies but said he believed he had done his best to keep the party united.
He rejected claims that his relationship with Raila had broken down, saying the former prime minister would have fired him if they were no longer on good terms.
Sifuna recalled Raila telling Cabinet Secretaries who were ODM members that they had no authority to speak for the party and should focus on their government roles.
He said some of the Cabinet Secretaries complained that he was harsh on them when they appeared before the Senate.
Sifuna said he believed Raila would have contested the 2027 presidential election.
He said the former ODM leader had viewed the election as a major opportunity for the party, which could have strengthened its position by retaining the support and allies it had in 2022.
The senator also said he had received an update on ODM leader Oburu Oginga through one of his guards, who told him Oburu was improving before travelling to London.
Sifuna said he was praying for his recovery.
Building a new political platform
Sifuna and his allies are building The Equitable Party (TEP) as a political vehicle, with plans to rename it the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
The proposed change is awaiting approval from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
He said Linda Mwananchi was committed to helping the opposition agree on one candidate to face Ruto in 2027, and that it would hold talks with other opposition leaders.
Sifuna has said the movement is focusing first on building its party structures before entering coalition discussions.
