Sifuna, Ingratitude and the Politics of Defiance: Has Odm’s Firebrand Lost the Plot?

By Kenya Online News ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna is once again at the centre of political controversy following remarks widely interpreted as disrespectful toward senior party leaders — including Hassan Ali Joho, Junet Muhamed, H.E Gladys Wanga, H.E Abdullswamad S. Nassir, and Kisii Governor George Simba Arati — whom he repeatedly dismissed as part of an ODM “washenzi” group. The remarks were made in the presence of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, widely perceived as Sifuna’s current political patron. To many within ODM circles, the incident was not just another slip of the tongue; it was a deliberate act. It symbolized a deeper and long-simmering crisis — a growing rift between Sifuna and the very party leadership that had nurtured, defended, and elevated him. From Bungoma Political Failure to Nairobi Powerbroker: Edwin Sifuna’s political rise is inseparable from Raila Odinga. After failing politically in Bungoma, it was Raila who gave Sifuna a political lifeline — personally backing him for the Nairobi senatorial seat and integrating him into ODM’s top leadership. That gamble paid off electorally and politically. However, critics argue that gratitude has gradually been replaced by arrogance and defiance, with Sifuna increasingly positioning himself above party discipline and collective leadership. The Uhuru Factor and Handshake Politics: Following the 2018 Handshake between Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta, Uhuru reportedly extended financial and political support to some key individuals close to Raila, including Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Governor James Orengo. ODM insiders now claim that this support became so influential that some beneficiaries — Sifuna included — began taking political cues directly from Uhuru, even when those positions openly conflicted with Raila Odinga’s strategic direction. When Raila later entered into a cooperation framework with President William Ruto, Sifuna emerged as one of the loudest internal critics, openly defying the party leader’s approach. According to sources close to ODM leadership, Raila privately dismissed calls to replace Sifuna as Secretary General — including proposals to bring in Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina — telling allies that Sifuna was just being “politically foolish” for failing to see that Uhuru himself had allies serving in Ruto’s Cabinet, while paradoxically encouraging Sifuna to oppose engagement with President Ruto. Some insiders go further, alleging that it was Uhuru Kenyatta who pushed Sifuna to publicly demand a Cabinet position during the Raila–Ruto engagement — a move that further strained relations within ODM. Cabinet Bitterness and the Oparanya Factor: Sifuna’s defiance reportedly intensified after former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya secured a Cabinet position. ODM insiders claim Sifuna opposed Oparanya’s appointment, and when his own expectations were not met, his posture hardened into open rebellion against party consensus and leadership authority. Selective Respect, Open Contempt: Perhaps the most telling episode, according to ODM loyalists, was Sifuna’s conduct at the burial of the late Cyrus Jirongo, an event attended by several pro-government leaders, including Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang’ula, Eugene Wamalwa, Wycliffe Oparanya, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. Observers noted that Sifuna spoke respectfully and warmly of his Luhya counterparts. Yet, in the same breath, he allegedly displayed open disdain, arrogance, and insult toward senior ODM leaders from Nyanza — remarks reportedly made in the presence of Uhuru Kenyatta, his purported sponsor. To many in ODM, this moment reinforced the image of a man biting the hand that fed him while enthusiastically courting new political patrons. Exit Strategy? Jubilee Beckons: There is growing speculation that Sifuna is preparing to exit the party altogether, with insiders alleging that he is eyeing a move to Jubilee. Reports suggest he may contest a parliamentary seat in Nairobi, Westlands, on a Jubilee ticket in the next general election. Party loyalists claim that his current strategy is to weaken ODM from within before making his final move — a reality some of his followers may only realise when it is too late. Time to Choose: Politics is about loyalty, timing, and strategic clarity. Critics argue that if Edwin Sifuna believes his political future lies elsewhere, the honourable path would be to leave ODM openly rather than undermine it from within. ODM gave Sifuna relevance, protection, and national prominence. Whether history will remember him as a bold reformist or an ungrateful defector now depends on the choices he makes next. For now, one question continues to linger within ODM circles: Is Edwin Sifuna still fighting for the party that made him — or for the interests of those who now “feed him better”? Many believe that Sifuna would struggle politically if he vies on any other party ticket in Nairobi apart from ODM. As always in Kenyan politics, time will tell.