‘Sifuna struggles to distinguish between personal opinion and ODM policy’, Oburu says amid party rift

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, has indicated that the party’s Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, has in recent months struggled to separate his personal opinions from official party policy, a situation he says has caused confusion among members and supporters.
In a statement signed on February 6, 2026, Dr Oburu addressed the public debate that followed Sifuna’s interview on Citizen TV’s The Explainer with Yvonne Okwara.

In that interview, Sifuna questioned the broad-based arrangement, the legitimacy of the party leadership ahead of an official National Delegates Conference, and the possibility of a looming UDA-ODM coalition before the 2027 polls.

According to Oburu, ODM policy is not driven by individual preference but is the outcome of structured deliberations through the party’s constitutional organs.

He noted that while ODM is a democratic movement that allows debate, such discussions must be anchored in the party’s founding values.

“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,” the statement read in part.

“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.”

Oburu also faulted Sifuna’s remarks on the legitimacy of certain office holders, maintaining that ODM has consistently adhered to its Constitution. He said all party officials are serving lawfully and are backed by resolutions of party organs.

“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 office fully and effectively until February 2022, when the NDC subsequently endorsed him,” Oburu said.

“One cannot selectively invalidate the very processes that conferred legitimacy upon oneself.”

In pre-coalition talks, Oburu questioned why Sifuna criticises the urgency of engaging other parties, yet in July 2025 had expressed the view that ODM could not afford to wait until 2027 to deliberate on its strategy. He described the ongoing engagements as strategic and not a sign that ODM is panicking.

He added that in pushing for Kenyans’ rights, dialogue with the government and other stakeholders remains necessary.

“We are therefore committed to an inter-generational national conclave to create a stronger party where every generation is represented and given opportunity,” he said.

Dr Oburu urged members to remain focused, disciplined and committed to the party’s founding values.

During the Citizen TV interview, Sifuna stirred debate after claiming that funds used in the high-profile “Linda Ground” rallies were not coming from ODM headquarters, saying he can only account for resources officially sanctioned by the party.

He alleged the existence of parallel funding for activities branded as ODM events but not authorised by the party.

“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 Nairobi Senator.

“I know for a fact that there is parallel funding for activities clothed in ODM colours, and they run around saying they are ODM delegates. Linda Ground rallies are not financed from ODM quarters or party coffers. That one I can tell you for free.”

Attention now turns to how ODM will navigate the internal tensions, amid questions over whether the party will remain a cohesive political force or face deeper divisions ahead of the 2027 General Election.