ODM IN LIMBO AS SIFUNA AND AMISI DECLARE MASS EXODUS UPON ENDORSEMENT OF RUTO

A serious rift is emerging within the ODM party, as Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Sabaoti MP Caleb Amisi threaten a mass walkout should the party decide to support President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.

Speaking during a fundraiser in Lukhome, Trans Nzoia County on Sunday,3, the Nairobi Senator doubling as ODM's SG openly stated that he would leave the party should it endorse Ruto’s candidacy - emphasizing that his political convictions outweigh party loyalty.

“I assure ODM supporters that my stance remains,” Sifuna said, reinforcing his long-held criticism of ODM’s warming relations with UDA.

Although he holds a senior role in the party, Sifuna remained adamant he wouldn’t toe the line blindly, stating:

“I am willing to read whatever statement ODM comes up with for dissemination, even if they were to insult me. But the day the party decides it wants to support Ruto come 2027, that one I will not read.”

He further defended his right to express personal views despite his official capacity:

“Raila himself has said that this is a democratic party and any member is free to speak their mind, yet some thugs are saying I cannot hold views independent of the party just because I am the secretary general, that I represent the party at all times.”

Sifuna even addressed criticism of his communication style, daring the party to appoint someone else who they think fits the position better.

“Some have said (Nyando MP) Jared Okelo is better than I am at it because he speaks good English; Okelo, be ready if you want to take up my role. If they endorse Ruto, I won’t be a part of that.”

Sifuna reiterated that he would resist any such move:

“I will read all the resolutions except the one on ODM endorsing President William Ruto in 2027. We will talk to everyone whose agenda is to remove William Ruto from power in 2027.”

In attendance was Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who echoed Sifuna’s sentiments. He issued a similar warning, stating that ODM risked losing members en masse should it enter into any electoral deal with Ruto’s party.
“If you decide to work with Ruto in 2027, that will be the end of me and you,” Amisi warned supporters.

The gathering, which has since been dubbed the “Lukhome Declaration,” brought together ODM lawmakers and party loyalists dissatisfied with its political direction and increasingly cordial relationship with UDA.

During the event, speakers strongly criticized the idea of cooperating with the Ruto administration, citing recent state actions against Gen Z protesters and worsening healthcare and education systems.

Participants noted that backing Ruto would be seen as condoning these alleged injustices.

Also in attendance were MPs perceived to be aligned with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i—both speculated to be eyeing the presidency in 2027.

Some days back, during a televised interview , Sifuna blasted the March 2025 cooperation deal between ODM and UDA, comparing it to the 2018 "handshake" between Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, which he said failed to deliver for ODM supporters at the grassroots level.

He went further to declare the agreement ineffective:

“ODM no longer speaks with one voice. We have failed to put our house in order. There’s no ideological clarity.”

Despite chairing the technical team tasked with implementing the ODM-UDA pact, Sifuna admitted no tangible progress had been made.

Still facing pressure from some quarters to step down, Sifuna insisted he’s going nowhere:

“I was elected and appointed by the party leadership. Unless Raila asks me to leave, I’m not going anywhere,” he maintained.

Surprisingly, Sifuna's remarks comes barely a week after he delivered a press statement on behalf of ODM, pledging to support the Ruto led administration as per the ODM -UDA signed Memorandum of Understanding .

The unfolding situation has portrayed Edwin Sifuna as caught between demonstrating loyalty to his party leader and mentor, Raila Odinga, and remaining true to the concerns of ordinary Kenyans.

His Sunday remarks are likely to spark backlash from a faction within ODM, with growing calls for his resignation. The question now remains—can he weather the storm?