The delicate peace within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) appears to be fracturing further following a scathing rebuke from Kisumu Senator Ruth Odinga. On Monday, the Senator took a firm stand against what she termed as a “smear campaign” targeting the Odinga family and key party officials in the wake of her brother’s recent passing.
Speaking during a meeting of the Kisumu Bunge La Wananchi at her home, a visibly emotional Senator Ruth lashed out at political opportunists she claims are exploiting the family’s grief for personal gain.
“We have lost my brother and my sister. It is very sad to find that people, especially on social media, disparage the name of this family,” she lamented. “By actually disrespecting the family, it shows you were not genuine. It has only been two months. Let us mourn in peace.”
The Senator’s remarks come at a time of heightened anxiety within the Orange party, as various factions scramble for influence following the death of the long-time opposition doyen, Raila Odinga.
Defending Sifuna
Ruth Odinga also stepped forward to defend ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna. Sifuna has recently been the target of “mole” allegations from within the party, particularly regarding his rigid stance on the Kenya Kwanza government.
The Senator dismissed claims that certain individuals held “private conversations” with the late Raila Odinga during his final days to the exclusion of others.
“Anyone telling Kenyans that Hon. Raila had a series of private conversations with him on a wide range of issues is lying and must be called out,” she stated in a follow-up social media post. “Talking of Baba’s sons, Nairobi Senator and ODM SG, Edwin Sifuna was equally his son and used to talk to him. So no one should claim to have been closer to Raila than everyone else.”
Her defense of Sifuna appears to be a direct response to sensational claims made by Oketch Salah, the mysterious “adopted son” of the late former Prime Minister. During a function in Rarieda on December 24, Salah alleged that Raila had expressed distrust of Sifuna before he died.
“One thing that Raila once told me that I have now seen happening is about Sifuna,” Salah had claimed. “He once told me to forget about Sifuna, saying he was closely observing him and that he might be someone’s mole.”
Senator Ruth dismissed these narratives as fabrications, insisting that her brother was a straight talker who made his national positions public and did not rely on “whisper campaigns.”
Perhaps most jarring was the Senator’s commentary on the internal wrangles regarding the party’s future direction. Addressing rumors that certain leaders were planning to “sell” the party to the highest bidder, Ruth Odinga offered a cynical perspective.
She sensationally suggested that the party had “already been sold” and that those responsible were currently under immense pressure to meet specific timelines to complete the transaction.
As the 2027 General Election draws closer, the internal friction within Kenya’s oldest opposition party shows no signs of cooling.
For now, Ruth Odinga is demanding a return to order, urging members to focus on the 10-point agenda of the National Advisory Committee (NADCO) report rather than engaging in “side shows.”
“It is wrong, it is undermining the family, and it is disrespecting Raila Odinga,” she concluded.
