Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has raised the alarm over what he described as growing authoritarian tendencies within the party, cautioning that some leaders are eroding the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.
Speaking on what would have been Raila’s 81st birthday on January 7, Sifuna paid tribute to the ODM founding father while criticizing party members who, he says, are straying from the principles Raila championed. According to the Secretary General, a culture of impunity, intolerance, and silence in the face of threats to multiparty democracy now risks undoing years of progress.
“As the country’s foremost second liberation warrior, Baba was the architect of multipartyism and the 2010 Constitution, which introduced devolution,” Sifuna wrote. He added that Raila’s passing in October last year has created an opportunity for regression, shrinking the democratic space he fought to build.
Sifuna called on ODM leaders, particularly those nurtured under Raila’s mentorship, to uphold the ideals of truth, justice, and service to the oppressed. “We must continue his vision – standing with the marginalized, speaking truth to power, and protecting the Constitution, which affirms the sovereignty of the people,” he said.
His remarks come amid rising tensions within ODM, highlighted by recent disagreements between Sifuna and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed over alleged mismanagement of party funds during the 2022 elections. Political analysts note that the internal divisions are being fueled by uncertainty over the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sifuna emphasized that despite internal disagreements, party members must remain principled to preserve Raila Odinga’s enduring legacy and to lead a renewed political vision in Kenya.