Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has set the record straight regarding claims that he has been holding political meetings with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a media interview on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Nairobi Senator dismissed the allegations as false, stating that he has only met Gachagua twice.
“I have met the former Deputy President twice. The first time was at a funeral in Nyeri, and the second was when he came to the Senate for his impeachment hearing. I am used to these kinds of accusations because, as they say, when the hyena wants to eat its children, it accuses them of smelling like a goat,” Sifuna said.
Sifuna Denies Having Political Meetings with Gachagua
Additionally, Sifuna stated that Gachagua stands no chance of becoming Kenya’s President, having already been impeached. He noted that Gachagua’s value to ODM lies in the fact that he is likely to draw votes away from President William Ruto.
“Former DP Gachagua is impeached; he cannot run. I don’t understand why people talk about him as a viable candidate. From an ODM perspective, the value he brings is that he’s taking away votes that helped defeat us in 2022. As long as he’s drawing votes from Ruto, I don’t care where he takes them—he is not giving them to William Ruto,” Sifuna added.
At the same time, Sifuna addressed questions on whether he would resign as ODM Secretary General due to his disagreement with the broad-based agreement spearheaded by ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Ruto.
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He made it clear that he will not resign, stating that he still believes in the ODM party and its leadership. The Nairobi Senator expressed confidence that Raila Odinga understands what is best for the people and will ultimately make the right decision.
Moreover, Sifuna argued that the broad-based agreement was breached following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in a police cell—an incident that, according to him, contradicts the agreement’s promise to end extrajudicial killings under President Ruto’s administration.
Sifuna Attacked over Broad-Based Agreement criticism
In response, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei defended the agreement, insisting that it remains intact. He criticized Sifuna for his remarks, suggesting that he should leave the party if he is dissatisfied.
“Senator Sifuna is misleading the nation. ODM signed a working partnership with the Kenya Kwanza government, and it is progressing well. He signed the document. Ruto and Raila will work together beyond 2027. The earlier he bolts out, the better for him,” Cherargei said.
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Cherargei also accused Sifuna of being bitter towards President Ruto for allegedly not being appointed as a Cabinet Secretary.
Despite his party’s formal agreement with the Kenya Kwanza administration, Sifuna has remained a vocal critic of President Ruto. His persistent criticism has even drawn the attention of the Head of State, who at one point threatened to consult ODM founders to have Sifuna removed from his position.
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