By Anderson Ojwang
For decades, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has remained glued in a spot in an endless and painful pursuit of the elusive presidency, while its members it disciplined and expelled continue to flourish at the national platform.
The sacking of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General has come at the best time and as a blessing in disguise to the Linda Mwananchi brigade.
For most party members, ODM disciplinary measures have become a path to political success, while for the party, it is an eyesore that has left it still stuck in an endless charade of presidential pursuit.
One of the founders of ODM, President William Ruto, rightly observed that the moment one was served with the party’s disciplinary letter, it was a testimony that the member was ripe for a new political escapade.
“If you know how to go forward and to be successful in politics, it is to get an ODM disciplinary letter,” Ruto said.
The ODM catch
The statement aptly captures ODM’s current predicament in its fight with the immediate former Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
The Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga-led ODM has for the last one year been engaged in a dogfight with Sifuna over his opposition to the broad-based government and support for Ruto’s second term.
Oburu earlier in the year sacked Sifuna and formed the Linda Ground faction to rival Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi.
Linda Ground failed to excite a political moment and was recently folded, with the team reverting to identifying themselves as ODM.
Linda Mwananchi has turned into a political phenomenon in the country and already has two presidential aspirants in Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
ODM is fast being relegated to a minnow in the 2027 general elections and possibly a Luo party, shedding off the national tag.
Promotion
President Ruto, while advising ODM rebels including Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Mark Nyamita, among others, over the ODM-instituted disciplinary measures, told them not to panic but to know they were on the right political path.
“I was the deputy party leader of ODM; I too was served with the letter. The moment you are served with the disciplinary letter by ODM, that is the time you know your growth is on course. I became the Deputy President and now President,” he said.
And now ODM has created another presidential contender in Sifuna after a letter dated 9th July 2026, signed by J.C. Lorionokou, effected the removal of Sifuna as Secretary General, saying the party action was in line with the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution – while Sifuna’s political train had already left the station.
“Upon the review of the documents submitted by the party and lack of response from Sifuna, we note that the removal of the Secretary General was in line with the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution. This office has effected the change and updated the party records,” it read in parts.
Bombshell
The sacking not only left ODM in tatters but opened a new political dispensation in the country.
On Sunday, July 26th, Sifuna will have a homecoming rally at the historic Posta Ground in Bungoma, where the community will bless him to seek the presidency. A new chapter and a new vehicle.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, on Monday after a 10-hour meeting, announced the programme for the event where the elders and other leaders will bless and release Sifuna to run for the presidency.
He said the Bungoma homecoming rally will be used to unveil Sifuna’s presidential intent and undergo blessing from the community elders and leadership.
“We will be in Bungoma for a homecoming. All leaders will converge in Bungoma on that day. In Bungoma, the elders will bless our son, Sifuna, to go out in search of the presidency,” he said.
Natembeya said it was incumbent upon the Luhya community to discuss the future of the community and not relegate it to outsiders.
“We have started to plan our politics, and today we have agreed to start the journey with our people. We will have a meeting in Trans Nzoia on 25th July and a homecoming the next day on 26th in Bungoma,” he said.
In a move aimed at locking the Luhya votes into one basket, Natembeya said the community leaders will then embark on campaigns in all 38 constituencies to rally support for Sifuna.
“We will have meetings in every constituency in the Luhya community, while Sifuna will be traversing the country. We will traverse 38 constituencies in Western Kenya. Our MPs are in Ruto’s camp, so we declare war on them. We will be in one political party in next year’s election,” he said.
Instances
President Ruto said the ODM disciplinary action marked his political turnaround.
“If you have not received any disciplinary letter from ODM, then you are still playing below the cadre. I was taken to court by ODM trying to chase me away. We stayed in court for five years. It ended. If you know how to go forward and to be successful in politics, it is to get an ODM disciplinary letter,” he said.
MP Caroli Omondi, who was served with an ODM disciplinary letter, took ODM to court, won the elections, and is yet to be paid by the party over damages. He is currently flying high in the emerging political moment in the country.
The sacking of Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi as Deputy Party Leader of ODM has propelled him as the favourite gubernatorial candidate for Vihiga.
