SIFUNA WORRIED THAT THE RUTO-RAILA ALLIANCE MIGHT COST ODM IN THE 2027 ELECTIONS

ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna has voiced strong concerns over the growing partnership between ODM party leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto, warning that the alliance may compromise the party’s readiness for the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna said that although he does not dictate the party's position on coalitions, a role reserved for the party leader, he fears the ongoing collaboration with Ruto could cost ODM valuable preparation time.
“Unfortunately, the position of the party on coalitions is given by the party leader, so what he says is the position of the party. My worry is that if you stick with the current government until 2027, then you don’t have the time to prepare the party for elections," he said during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, July 22 2025.
Sifuna, who also serves as Nairobi senator, reaffirmed that ODM intends to field its presidential candidate in 2027. However, he warned that aligning with the current regime without clearly defined timelines or goals could leave the party unprepared to mount a serious challenge. “For instance, if we get to 2027 and decide to contest the presidency because that is the position of the party, but have not made room to prepare, we will have lost the opportunity to extricate ourselves from this unpopular regime and to explain to the people what we’ve been doing with Ruto all these years,” he added.
The outspoken politician also made it clear that he would not support any formal endorsement of Ruto for the presidency in 2027.