Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has once again missed a key Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, intensifying debate about his standing within the party.
The meeting, held in Mombasa on February 11, 2026, was convened by ODM party leader Oburu Odinga to address pressing leadership issues and discuss the party’s political direction ahead of the 2027 General Election. However, Sifuna did not attend.
Sifuna Opts for Senate Forum
Instead of appearing at the high-level party meeting, Sifuna participated in the Senate Energy Committee Stakeholders Forum in Nairobi. His decision to prioritise Senate duties over the NEC session has further fuelled speculation of deepening divisions within the party’s top leadership.
Sifuna’s absence comes at a time when sections of ODM leaders have openly questioned his loyalty to the party’s current direction, particularly regarding ongoing discussions about a potential ODM-UDA alliance.
Mounting Pressure for His Ouster
Calls for Sifuna’s removal as Secretary-General have grown louder in recent weeks. Some senior party figures have argued that he has taken positions that appear to contradict the party leadership’s stance, especially on coalition politics.
The NEC meeting was expected to deliberate on leadership unity and strategic alignment as ODM recalibrates its position following significant political shifts.
ODM’s Identity Crisis After Raila
The party has faced internal strain since the death of its founder, Raila Odinga, on October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India. Raila’s passing marked the end of an era for ODM, leaving the party in a period of transition and redefinition.
Under Oburu Odinga’s leadership, ODM has signalled a shift in strategy, including closer engagement with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). This repositioning has not been without controversy, with some party members appearing uncomfortable with the new direction.
During the Mombasa NEC meeting, Oburu Odinga announced that ODM had effectively exited the Azimio la Umoja coalition and would soon formalise the departure. He asserted that ODM had long distanced itself from the coalition and was now preparing to chart its own course ahead of 2027.
The development signals a major political realignment that could reshape Kenya’s opposition landscape.
Sifuna’s repeated absence from critical party meetings is likely to intensify discussions about his future within ODM. Whether the party will take disciplinary action or seek reconciliation remains to be seen.
As ODM navigates leadership transition, coalition negotiations, and internal disagreements, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether the party emerges united or further divided ahead of the 2027 polls.
