Crucial ODM Convention May Decide Sifuna’s Future as Secretary-General

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is set to hold its National Delegates Convention (NDC) in October 2025. 

This event is expected to define the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 General Elections. The convention is intended to elect national officials, review policy and solidify strategic objectives. Tensions are mounting over ODM's recent alignment with President William Ruto, prompting questions about the future role of Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.

Sifuna has emerged as a vocal critic of the developing political alliance between Raila Odinga and President Ruto, a stance that has both galvanised supporters and drawn censure from within the party. Sifuna's rejection of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) underpinning the deal has led party loyalists to accuse him of undermining unity and destabilising ODM's leadership.

The friction escalated following Sifuna’s televised declaration that the pact was "dead".  He cited the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody as emblematic of ongoing state brutality. 

"On the day Albert Ojwang dies in a police cell, for me, this agreement is dead," Sifuna said, raising concerns about the sincerity of Ruto’s human rights commitments, including a newly announced compensation framework for victims of police violence.

Conversely, Odinga and Ruto have been deepening their collaboration, unveiling teams to expedite the ODM–UDA MoU and implement the NADCO report—both initiatives led by Odinga’s allies. The ODM Central Committee, in its July resolution, confirmed the October convention, noting that delegates will review reports from party organs and elect new officials. 

Party insiders suggest the convention may also initiate a succession process for the Secretary-General post, given the increasingly precarious nature of Sifuna's position. Calls for Sifuna's resignation are growing. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma recently demanded Sifuna’s ouster, accusing him of fomenting discord. Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi echoed this sentiment, asserting that ODM has ample alternative spokespersons. 

“Even Jared Okello is here; he was schooled in England and has better English than these leaders purporting to speak for the party,” Atandi said.