No One Is Bigger Than ODM, Oburu Odinga Hits Back at Sifuna After Citizen TV Interview
A fresh round of internal tensions has emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after party leader Oburu Odinga publicly rebuked Secretary General Edwin Sifuna over remarks questioning the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership.
In a strongly worded letter issued on Friday, Oburu accused Sifuna of advancing personal opinions under the guise of official party positions, warning that such statements risk sowing confusion among party members and supporters. The Siaya Senator insisted that ODM’s leadership structures remain intact and lawful, stressing that internal discipline and adherence to the party constitution are non-negotiable.
“ODM has, since its inception, demonstrated fidelity to its Constitution and to the rule of law,” Oburu said. “The same principle has put every individual in their rightful position, including that of Sen. Sifuna.”
The letter followed Sifuna’s recent interview on Citizen TV, in which the Nairobi Senator questioned whether Oburu was duly elected as party leader and suggested that some current officials were not properly sanctioned by the National Delegates Convention (NDC). Oburu dismissed those claims, asserting that all serving officials hold office legitimately through resolutions of recognised party organs.
“We want to state categorically that all party officials are serving substantially and are supported by party organ resolutions,” Oburu added, underlining that no individual, regardless of rank, is above ODM as an institution.
In his response, Oburu also revisited Sifuna’s own path to the Secretary General’s office, arguing that the SG’s claims were inconsistent with past practice. He noted that Sifuna himself served in the role for several years after being elected by the National Governing Council before later receiving endorsement from the NDC.
“When Sifuna questioned the legality of some national officials, he overlooked a fundamental fact,” Oburu said. “He himself was elected Secretary General by the same organ in February 2018 and discharged the functions of that office fully and effectively until February 2022, when the NDC subsequently endorsed him.”
Despite the sharp tone of the letter, Oburu did not indicate whether disciplinary action against Sifuna was under consideration. However, the exchange has laid bare deepening divisions within ODM, particularly over the party’s future political direction.
At the centre of the dispute is a broader debate on whether ODM should pursue closer cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) or chart an independent course ahead of the next election cycle. Sifuna has repeatedly raised concerns about the party’s perceived closeness to the government, including allegations that ODM may be receiving state funding, claims that party leaders have not publicly confirmed.
For his part, Sifuna has insisted that he will not resign as Secretary General, maintaining that his mandate can only be reviewed through a delegates’ conference. He has called for such a forum to provide clarity and direction amid the growing internal disagreements.
“My membership in ODM remains intact,” Sifuna said during the Citizen TV interview, adding that “the only way I can vacate this office is through a delegates’ conference.”
The debate has drawn in other senior party figures. Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, Oburu’s sister, publicly defended Sifuna, cautioning against labelling him a rebel for expressing dissenting views. She likened his stance to the political approach long associated with ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
“If indeed he is a ‘rebel’, then how many times was Raila Odinga one?” Ruth said. “If the MoU has not been honoured, with less than 30 days to its expiry, what is so treasonous about declaring it obsolete?”
As ODM navigates these internal disputes, political observers say the coming weeks could prove critical in determining whether the party resolves its differences internally or risks prolonged factionalism ahead of key national political developments.
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No One Is Bigger Than ODM, Oburu Odinga Hits Back at Sifuna After Citizen TV Interview
