Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has sparked fresh controversy within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after calling for the immediate removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from the party’s leadership.
Speaking on Sunday, October 19, shortly after the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Bondo, Siaya County, Cherargei accused Sifuna of undermining ODM’s political progress and defying the party’s alignment with President William Ruto’s broad-based government.
According to Cherargei, most ODM leaders had agreed to work with President Ruto following Raila’s directive to embrace the inclusive government model. He claimed that Sifuna, the party’s Secretary-General, remained the only dissenting voice.
“The biggest threat to the growth of ODM and its chances of forming the next government is Sifuna and his allies. By the end of 2025, he must be removed as Secretary-General,” Cherargei stated.
He further alleged that Sifuna was deliberately frustrating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between Raila and President Ruto, describing him as an “opposition mole” within ODM.
During the same event in Bondo, Sifuna had defended the party’s independence, calling for unity and reaffirming ODM’s commitment to field candidates in all elective positions during the 2027 General Election.
“Raila Odinga himself said that ODM will field candidates in 2027. Let no one call me out for echoing his words,” Sifuna asserted.
Cherargei’s remarks come amid growing tensions within ODM over its future direction following Raila Odinga’s death. As the party grapples with succession and its role in Ruto’s government, the fallout between key figures like Sifuna and pro-government allies could reshape ODM’s political path ahead of 2027.
