Speaking in an interview on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Kioni said removing Sifuna would represent a critical misstep for ODM at a time when the party is still grappling with internal realignments following the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga.
According to Kioni, Sifuna has emerged as a key political figure whose influence cuts across ideological divides within ODM, making him central to the party’s cohesion rather than a liability.
“Kicking out Sifuna from ODM is splitting the party into pieces, and you do not need anyone to explain that to you,” Kioni said.
“Sifuna has managed, both when Baba Raila Odinga was alive and even after, to capture the imagination of a sizable section of ODM supporters.”
Kioni argued that Sifuna represents a broad segment of ODM’s support base, including members who hold differing views on the party’s engagement with President William Ruto’s broad-based government.
Kioni argued that Sifuna represents a broad segment of ODM’s support base, including members who hold differing views on the party’s engagement with President William Ruto’s broad-based government.
He noted that Raila Odinga had carefully managed these internal differences, ensuring that no faction felt alienated even when opinions sharply diverged.
“These include those who agreed with Baba when he joined the broad-based government and those who disagreed with him,” Kioni said.
“These include those who agreed with Baba when he joined the broad-based government and those who disagreed with him,” Kioni said.
“Baba was very careful, even in his last days, to ensure that he never lost the party or its followers. It was a delicate balancing act, and he handled it well.”
Kioni further observed that since Raila’s death on October 15, 2025, ODM has struggled to maintain the internal equilibrium that had long defined the party.
Kioni further observed that since Raila’s death on October 15, 2025, ODM has struggled to maintain the internal equilibrium that had long defined the party.
He said the current tensions reflect unresolved questions about leadership, ideology and strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In his view, Sifuna has increasingly become the voice of dissent within ODM, articulating concerns held by members who are uncomfortable with the party’s cooperation with the government.
In his view, Sifuna has increasingly become the voice of dissent within ODM, articulating concerns held by members who are uncomfortable with the party’s cooperation with the government.
Kioni cautioned that silencing such voices would only deepen mistrust and weaken the party’s democratic credentials.
“Sifuna now remains the voice of that other side,” he said, adding that expelling him would push a significant section of ODM supporters to disengage from the party altogether.
Tensions within ODM escalated earlier this month after Migori Senator Eddy Oketch filed a petition on January 5, 2026, seeking disciplinary action against Sifuna.
“Sifuna now remains the voice of that other side,” he said, adding that expelling him would push a significant section of ODM supporters to disengage from the party altogether.
Tensions within ODM escalated earlier this month after Migori Senator Eddy Oketch filed a petition on January 5, 2026, seeking disciplinary action against Sifuna.
The petition accused the ODM Secretary General of gross misconduct, indiscipline and associating with rival political formations, and called for his suspension and expulsion from the party.
However, the move was quickly halted following interventions by senior party figures, including party chairperson Oburu Oginga, who urged restraint and dialogue. The petition was withdrawn a day later, temporarily easing tensions within the party.
Kioni credited Ida Odinga with playing a decisive role in calming the situation. He said her intervention helped avert what could have become a major rupture within ODM.
“If Mama Ida had not intervened and stopped the shenanigans within ODM, this country would be very different today,” Kioni said.
However, the move was quickly halted following interventions by senior party figures, including party chairperson Oburu Oginga, who urged restraint and dialogue. The petition was withdrawn a day later, temporarily easing tensions within the party.
Kioni credited Ida Odinga with playing a decisive role in calming the situation. He said her intervention helped avert what could have become a major rupture within ODM.
“If Mama Ida had not intervened and stopped the shenanigans within ODM, this country would be very different today,” Kioni said.
“It would have marked the real beginning of the end of ODM.”
Calls for unity were further reinforced during events held on January 7, 2026, to mark what would have been Raila Odinga’s 81st birthday.
Calls for unity were further reinforced during events held on January 7, 2026, to mark what would have been Raila Odinga’s 81st birthday.
During the commemorations, Ida Odinga appealed to ODM leaders to prioritise dialogue and unity in order to preserve the party’s legacy.
In response, Sifuna publicly expressed his willingness to reconcile with colleagues and reaffirmed his commitment to ODM’s founding principles. He said he was ready to engage any party member in dialogue, regardless of past disagreements.
In response, Sifuna publicly expressed his willingness to reconcile with colleagues and reaffirmed his commitment to ODM’s founding principles. He said he was ready to engage any party member in dialogue, regardless of past disagreements.
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