Sifuna warns ODM may miss 2027 if it stays yoked to Ruto

Politics
By David Njaaga | Jul 22, 2025
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. [File, Standard]

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has warned that the party risks losing its chance to unseat President William Ruto in 2027 if it continues to support his administration, exposing internal tension over the party's coalition direction.

Sifuna, speaking in an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, July 22m, noted that although party leader Raila Odinga has declared support for Ruto until 2027, this position could deny ODM time to prepare for the presidential race.

"If you stick with the current government until 2027, you really don't have the time to prepare the party for elections," explained Sifuna.

Odinga, who leads the opposition party, recently announced he would back Ruto until 2027, sparking questions within ODM on whether the party will field a presidential candidate or remain in coalition with Kenya Kwanza.

Sifuna argued that ODM has always intended to present a presidential candidate in 2027 and that preparing for elections requires time.

"We would have lost that opportunity to extricate ourselves from this very unpopular regime and to explain to the people what we have been doing with Ruto all these years," observed Sifuna.

He explained that while the party leader sets the position on coalitions, ODM members are allowed to raise concerns internally.

"You are allowed to sound warnings and to say that in your view, we need to have sufficient time to explain to the people not only what we have been doing with Ruto but what we intend to do for the country if we are to present a candidate in 2027," noted Sifuna.

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