NAIROBI, Kenya – Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has moved to clarify his recent comments defending Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, following mounting criticism over Sifuna’s remarks about the party’s agreement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking during a church service in Karachuonyo on Sunday, Raila accused the media of misrepresenting his position, stressing that he was not endorsing Sifuna’s sentiments but merely affirming his democratic right to express personal views.
“The media is all the time prone to misinterpreting what I say. I’ve said that Sifuna has a democratic right to a personal opinion as the Secretary General,” Raila said, adding that such opinions do not automatically reflect the party’s official stance.
Sifuna sparked debate last week during a televised interview where he declared the agreement between ODM and the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition “dead,” citing failure by the government to uphold key elements of the deal.
He admitted that the party was “confused” about the nature of its engagement with the Ruto administration and publicly apologized to ODM supporters for the uncertainty.
The ODM boss, while distancing himself from Sifuna’s view, said disagreements within the party should be addressed internally and not aired in the media.
He revealed plans to convene a party meeting soon to resolve the matter and craft a unified position.
“We should sit down as a party and discuss this in the proper organs of the party and come up with a resolution of the party’s stand,” Raila said. “So what Sifuna said is a personal opinion, but ODM’s opinion will come as a result of discussions.”
The widening rift within ODM has reignited internal party politics, with some leaders backing Raila’s rapprochement with President Ruto, while others—like Sifuna—remain sharply opposed.
Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, Raila’s elder brother, weighed in on the saga, warning Sifuna against overstepping.
“Sifuna has a right to express his views. I also have my views. My view is that our arrangement with UDA was ratified by ODM. Let the party convene another meeting and decide otherwise,” Oburu said.
Elsewhere, Kitutu Chache MP Japheth Nyakundi accused Sifuna of harbouring political bitterness over being left out of Cabinet appointments.
“If Sifuna is angry about not being named CS, he should question Raila, not attack President Ruto,” Nyakundi said, suggesting that the secretary general’s criticism may be fueled by personal frustrations rather than ideology.
The ODM leadership is expected to hold a meeting on Tuesday to deliberate on the party’s future direction and its official position on the “broad-based government” deal.
