Sifuna rejects SG role under Oburu

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said he will not take up the role of Secretary General under party leader Oburu Odinga, amid growing disagreements within the ODM.

Speaking during a parallel National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Ufungamano House, Sifuna told party leader Oburu Odinga that he would not accept the Secretary General position under his leadership.

Oburu, who took over from his brother Raila Odinga, was formally ratified as the party leader on Friday, March 27, during the Special Delegates Conference held at Jamhuri Grounds.

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“Oburu, look for your own SG. After Baba Raila Odinga, you ... don’t deserve me!" Sifuna said.

His remarks were met with applause from some of the members of the Sifuna-led faction.

The dissenting faction, which includes Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, further made it clear that while they respect Oburu Odinga as an elder, they do not recognise him as their leader.

"We will respect Oburu Odinga as our elder but not our leader," the legislator said.

Both leaders argue that recent decisions and the direction of the party have undermined their confidence in its leadership, particularly regarding alliances with the current administration through the broad-based arrangement.

The party, however, remains under the control of Oburu Odinga, who has challenged rebels to demonstrate their political strength within party structures rather than publicly opposing decisions passed through official organs.

Addressing members of the mainstream faction on the NDC, Oburu said:

“You cannot be a party leader, preside over a meeting of any of the organs, and then, when you come out because you do not like what the majority passed, you start attacking it and saying the complete opposite of what the party has passed through its established organs.”

The statements from both sides reflect the widening faultlines within ODM, which has, in recent months, seen two distinct factions emerge.

The Oburu-led group, often referred to as Linda Ground, maintains that the party’s direction, including its broad-based approach with the current administration, represents the right way forward.

Meanwhile, the Linda Mwananchi faction, led by Sifuna, has openly opposed this approach, arguing that it compromises the party’s independence.

The parallel NDCs held on Friday were the latest manifestation of these tensions, with each faction attempting to assert legitimacy and rally support among party members.

While Sifuna and Owino’s faction emphasises grassroots engagement and internal party reforms, Oburu’s group insists on adherence to party rules and collective decision-making through established organs.

Their stances signal the party’s internal debates are far from over, and that the contest for leadership influence within ODM is set to remain a central issue in the months ahead.