A simmering rift has emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after Suna East MP Junet Mohamed sharply contradicted Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s declaration that the ODM-UDA memorandum of understanding (MoU) is no longer valid.
Speaking during a public rally on Friday, Junet insisted that only ODM leader Raila Odinga has the authority to pronounce the fate of the MoU signed between Raila and President William Ruto on March 7 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
“The only person who can declare that MoU dead or alive is Baba alone,” Junet asserted, referring to Raila by his popular nickname. He defended the party’s engagement with President Ruto’s administration as a strategic and necessary move to maintain national stability. “We don’t want anarchy and chaos in our country… We want to continue supporting the broad-based government so that money will trickle from the top to the bottom,” Junet added.
Junet’s remarks directly challenge Sifuna’s recent statements on Citizen TV, where the Nairobi Senator declared the MoU null and void, citing the government’s failure to uphold key commitments, including protection of civil liberties, respect for court orders, and curbing extrajudicial killings.
Sifuna pointed to the death of Albert Ojwang’ in police custody as the final straw. “On the day Albert Ojwang’ died in a police cell, to me this agreement is dead… Albert is not going to enjoy any democratic gains,” he said.
The fallout reveals deepening fractures within ODM, as the party grapples with its position ahead of the 2027 General Election. While some leaders advocate continued engagement with the Kenya Kwanza government, others remain skeptical of the alliance’s benefits.
Sifuna’s defiance has fueled speculation about his future in the party and raises questions about ODM’s unity and strategic direction. Both he and Junet are longstanding Raila allies, but their public clash signals a shifting political landscape as the opposition recalibrates its role under President Ruto’s leadership.
