Nairobi Senator Edwin W. Sifuna has stirred fresh debate within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after sarcastically dismissing attempts to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between President William Samoei Ruto and the late Raila Odinga.
“Anybody who wants to extend this MOU must go to Bondo to get Baba’s signature,” Sifuna wrote on social media.
Kenyans are well aware that Odinga — popularly known as Baba — died and was buried at his home in Bondo, Siaya County. Political observers interpreted Sifuna’s statement as biting sarcasm, underscoring his view that no one currently has the authority to renegotiate or extend the political pact in Odinga’s absence.
The MoU between Ruto and Raila was crafted after months of political tension and street protests over the high cost of living and electoral reforms. It paved the way for bipartisan talks and temporarily eased hostilities between the government and the opposition.
Since Odinga’s death, however, ODM has been grappling with internal divisions over how to relate to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother, has emerged as an influential figure within the party and has signaled openness to structured engagement with the government. His approach has been viewed by some as pragmatic, but critics within ODM argue it risks diluting the party’s opposition credentials.
Sifuna, who also serves as ODM Secretary-General, has been among those insisting that the party must not drift into what they see as a de facto political merger with Ruto’s administration.
The contrasting positions have exposed a growing rift within ODM as it seeks to redefine itself following the loss of its long-time leader.
State House had not responded to Sifuna’s remarks by press time.
