Following the alarm sounded by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna over what he describes as a growing identity crisis within the party, Political analyst Dr. Peter Mbae believes Sifuna’s candid statements are part of a broader script directed by Raila Odinga himself.

“Nonetheless, Raila Odinga is sending Sifuna to say the things he’s saying against broad-based government. Raila even knows that Sifuna will be attending an event of disgruntled MPs in the weekend. Raila is playing both sides, and will exit at the ‘right’ time,” Mbae said during an interview with TV47.

This was after Sifuna expressed regret over ODM’s decision to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President Ruto’s government, insisting he had warned the party against it.

Additionally, he voiced concern about the party’s future, particularly as the ODM leader leans towards continued cooperation with President Ruto until 2027.

“Our party leader’s position is to stay with the government until 2027, but my worry is we will not have time to prepare ODM for the elections. We risk failing to field a serious candidate, and we will have to explain to Kenyans why we supported an unpopular government,” Sifuna said.

However, Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai slammed Sifuna for criticizing the government, adding that Senator Sifuna will be the ODM secretary general for not longer than 2 months.

“I can tell you for a fact that Edwin Sifuna is not going to be the Secretary General of ODM for more than 2 months,” he said during the TV47, Morning Café show on Thursday July 31, 2025.