Is Sifuna Ready to Resign From ODM? The Real Motive Behind the Rhetoric

Outspoken Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has once again sparked intense political debate after saying he is ready to quit his position if the party leadership demands it.

His statement, made during a Citizen TV interview, comes at a time when ODM is facing internal rifts and growing criticism from its base over its warming ties with President Ruto’s administration.

But while Sifuna claims he’s willing to step aside, many within political circles believe it’s all a game—a carefully crafted act to shift blame and exit ODM on his own terms.

It’s all political theater. A performance aimed at surviving the next act of Kenya’s ever-turbulent opposition politics. The real question isn’t whether Sifuna will leave—it’s whether ODM will call his bluff. [Photo: Courtesy]

Sifuna Is Not Ready to Resign From ODM

Despite his public statements, Sifuna has no intention of resigning from ODM — at least not voluntarily. Political insiders say he is strategically playing the long game. His latest interview was not a show of loyalty or humility, but a calculated attempt to paint himself as a victim.

Sifuna knows that walking away from the powerful SG seat would make him look weak. But being fired? That would give him a badge of honour in certain circles.

He is not looking for an exit—he’s waiting for a push. Sources close to the party leadership reveal that Sifuna has been at odds with ODM’s evolving position, especially its recent rapprochement with the Kenya Kwanza regime.

He remains vocal against any perceived cooperation with Ruto, a stance that contradicts recent overtures by party leader Raila Odinga. But instead of outright quitting in protest, Sifuna is playing the victim card.

He wants to be removed so he can claim moral high ground and head to Wamunyoro for political “cleansing”—a move designed to position him for a comeback, possibly in a new outfit.

He said during the interview, “If that same person calls me today and says Sifuna, I have lost confidence in your ability to do this job… I would relinquish it without blinking.” That sounds noble, but it’s a tra—he’s hoping for that call, not dreading it.

Theatrics or Loyalty? Why Sifuna Is Still Holding On

Sifuna may say he’s ready to go, but his actions speak louder. He continues to hold the SG position, defend ODM’s policies publicly, and remain a central figure in opposition strategies. If he truly wanted to leave, he could. But instead, he stays — toeing the party line when convenient and rebelling when it suits his personal brand.

His refusal to jump ship reveals something deeper: Sifuna still needs the ODM platform.

As Nairobi Senator and a prominent face of the party, leaving would cost him political capital—especially with the 2027 elections fast approaching. He cannot afford to be partyless or seen as disloyal to Raila Odinga. So he walks a tightrope—criticizing ODM’s missteps while clinging to its structure.

He even said, “I have not given up on members of the ODM.” That sounds like a committed party soldier, but it’s more of a delay tactic. The moment the internal political cost of staying outweighs the external gain of victimhood, he’ll bol—butt only if pushed first.

For now, Sifuna continues to portray himself as a reformer trying to bring the party back to its roots. He insists that ODM still has credible leaders and that the party can deliver in 2027. But he also draws lines, rejecting links to smaller parties like the Green Thinking Action Party, signaling he’s not ready to downgrade himself politically.

ODM’s Next Move and Sifuna’s Endgame

ODM is preparing for its National Delegates Convention (NDC) in October 2025. This event will determine whether Sifuna remains Secretary General or not. It also presents the party with a rare opportunity to realign leadership in preparation for the 2027 elections. The stakes are high.

If the ODM leadership wants to rebrand and show unity, Sifuna’s removal might become a political necessity. He knows this, and he’s already setting the stage for how he will spin his departure.

If he’s ousted, expect a dramatic press conference and a pilgrimage to Wamunyoro—the symbolic place where fresh opposition figures seek cleansing and new beginnings.

In the interview, Sifuna said, “The day I give up, I will say it publicly that I have lost the battle to rescue this party.” That moment may come sooner than expected—but not as a resignation. He’s building a narrative. When he finally exits, it won’t be because he gave up.

It will be because he was “sacrificed” by a party that no longer shares his vision—a claim that would earn him sympathy and set him up for his next political move.

In truth, Sifuna is not ready to resign from ODM. He wants to be fired.