Sifuna: We will follow Raila’s last public statement to prepare for 2027 election
By Aloys Michael, October 19, 2025Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has promised to keep the party united following the death of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
This comes as internal rifts continue to glare over the last public statement made by the late premier on the future of the ODM party.
Speaking on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Siaya County during the burial ceremony of Raila, Sifuna insisted that Raila’s last directive was that ODM will field a candidate in the 2027 General Elections
“Mimi nataka niseme kwamba Baba alikuwa anasikiza wananchi.Nataka ku encourage wanachama wa ODM. Sasa tunyamaze tusikize wananchi wanasema nini. Baba alizungumza wazi tarehe ishirini na mbili mwezi uliopita mbele ya hawa wabunge, aliongea kwa kinywa chake mwenyewe, naomba viongozi msiingize maneno kwa mdomo ya mtu ambaye amelala,” he said.
What Raila said
Speaking on September 22, 2025, Raila urged party members to exercise restraint when speaking on the party’s political plans ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking during the party’s 20th anniversary, Raila discouraged ODM members from speaking on the party’s plans in the next general elections, insisting that they should remain aligned on its political strategy.
“Don’t commit the party to some things that have not been discussed. Who told you ODM does not have a candidate in 2027?” he posed.
“As ODM, we have a clear plan that we have agreed on, and let us implement it. Other decisions will be made when the time comes.”
Defending the party
Sifuna, in his tribute to the late ODM leader, assured him that he will keep the party united to cement his legacy and the principles he stood for.
“Because ODM is one of your (Raila) biggest legacies, I, as Sifuna, will do everything in my power to keep this party together even in the face of provocation, and you know what we are talking about,” Sifuna said.
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The Senator further urged the remaining leadership within the ODM party to remain united and take a step back from politics to listen to millions of other party affiliates on the way forward.
“In my view, this is not the time to push divisive narratives within ODM. ODM is a party for everyone. We as leaders should show unity so that other members can follow suit,” Sifuna said.
“I want to say here, I will not be among the people who contribute to this party’s downfall. I want to encourage the leaders of ODM; let’s be quiet and listen to the people and what they want.”
His remarks came after a section of leaders led by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said that the last Raila’s directive to his party members was to remain united and focus on the broad-based government under the leadership of President William Ruto
“I want to tell you, Mr President, that we will remain in a broad-based government because that is where Baba left us and directed us to commit before he died in India,” Wanga said.