Sifuna Tells ODM Supporters to ‘Give Us Permission’ to Leave Party as New Political Outfit Looms
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dramatically signalled a possible breakaway from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), telling supporters to give him permission to seek a new political vehicle after accusing the party’s current leadership of abandoning its original direction.
Sifuna made the remarks on Sunday, July 26, 2026, while addressing a large crowd at Posta Grounds in Bungoma during the Linda Mwananchi tour, in what could prove to be one of the clearest indications yet that he is preparing for life outside ODM.
The senator, who served as ODM secretary-general under the late opposition leader Raila Odinga, asked supporters who had continued to believe in the party to allow him to explore an alternative political platform.
“Wale mlikuwa mnaamini chama cha ODM tupeeni ruhusa tutafute chama kingine,” Sifuna told the crowd.
The remarks immediately raised the prospect of a new political outfit emerging around Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna: ‘I kept my promise to Raila’
Sifuna also sought to defend himself against accusations that he had played a role in weakening the party founded and built by the late Raila Odinga.
He said he had remained loyal to Raila even after his death and recalled travelling to Mumbai, India, to help bring the former opposition chief’s body back to Kenya.
“Nililia sana wakati tuliendea Baba. Tukafika Mumbai tukaleta Baba yetu,” he said.
According to Sifuna, tensions intensified after his return to Kenya when he allegedly discovered that some ODM officials had already convened a meeting to reorganise the party’s leadership and install Oburu Odinga as party leader.
Sifuna argued that ODM’s constitution required a different approach to succession and that Raila’s three deputies should first have been given an opportunity to agree on the party’s future leadership before an election was conducted.
“Matarajio ya wanachama cha ODM ilikuwa hao watatu waseme wewe unaweza kufanya mimi nifanye hiyo ingine alafu tufanye uchaguzi,” he said.
The three officials Sifuna referred to are Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Mombasa Governor Abdul Swamad Shariff Nassir and Kisii Governor Simba Arati.
‘I promised not to break Baba’s party’
Sifuna said he had made a personal commitment during Raila’s funeral that he would not be the person responsible for destroying the political organisation his former boss spent decades building.
“Kwa mazishi ya Baba Raila Odinga, mimi nilitoa ahadi kwamba mimi sitokuwa mwenye kuvunja chama cha Baba,” he said.
Speaking in Bungoma, Sifuna said he was satisfied that he had kept that promise, insisting that the decision to distance him from ODM had come from the party’s leadership rather than from him.
“Nikisimama hapa Bungoma I’m very proud because I kept my promise to my boss. Ni wao wamenifukuza mimi,” Sifuna said.
His comments appeared to mark a significant escalation in his political dispute with the party leadership and could further reshape the opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sifuna accuses ODM of moving closer to Ruto
The Nairobi senator went further, accusing ODM’s current leadership of abandoning the political path associated with Raila and moving closer to President William Ruto’s administration.
“Sasa ni dhahiri kwamba hao watu wameuzia chama Mheshimiwa William Samoei Ruto,” he claimed.
The allegation adds another layer to the increasingly bitter political divisions surrounding ODM following Raila’s death.
Sifuna has increasingly positioned himself alongside the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has used its Western Kenya rallies to campaign around issues including the cost of living, accountability and opposition to selected government policies.
Natembeya throws weight behind Sifuna
Sifuna’s remarks came as the Linda Mwananchi tour concluded its Western Kenya leg, with Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya publicly backing the Nairobi senator.
Natembeya urged voters from the wider Nyanza region to maintain their support for Sifuna and warned them against shifting allegiance to President Ruto’s political camp.
“This time round, msimame na sisi. Hamuwezi tuacha sisi muende kwa Kasongo. Hiyo haikubaliki,” Natembeya told the crowd.
The governor also cautioned voters about political campaigns in which candidates and their supporters distribute money in an attempt to influence voters.
He alleged that some political teams arrive with substantial amounts of cash but do not necessarily distribute all of it to residents.
“Hawa majamaa watakuja na pesa. Wanakuja na pesa na magunia,” Natembeya said.
He nevertheless urged voters to accept any money offered during campaigns while making their own independent decisions when casting their ballots.
ODM succession battle enters new phase
Sifuna’s latest remarks come after months of political tension over the direction of ODM following Raila’s death.
The Registrar of Political Parties subsequently confirmed changes to the party’s leadership structure, including Sifuna’s removal as secretary-general.
Oburu Odinga assumed the position of ODM party leader following Raila’s death, while Sifuna increasingly turned his attention towards mobilising supporters through Linda Mwananchi.
The Bungoma declaration could therefore signal the beginning of a new chapter in Sifuna’s political career.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, the question now is whether Sifuna will formally leave ODM and establish or join a new political vehicle — and how many of Raila’s former supporters could follow him.
For now, Sifuna has asked ODM supporters to “give us permission” to find another party, providing perhaps the strongest indication yet that a political divorce could be approaching.
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