Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has openly criticized President William Ruto’s Government, accusing it of undermining the Kenyan devolution system and stifling political opposition.
Speaking to residents of Kitui County on Saturday, August 9, 2025, Sifuna directly pointed a finger at Ruto’s leadership and called his government the biggest problem facing devolution today.
“You know the biggest enemy of devolution is the national government led by President William Ruto. The biggest problem in this country is at the State House,” he remarked.
He further asserted that his main focus now wasn’t becoming Nairobi’s governor but for Kenya to get a better president who supports devolution.
“My biggest goal now is not to become a governor; my goal is to ensure we get a better president who believes in devolution,” he added.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Secretary-General has also distanced himself from the ‘broad-based government’ and emphasized his allegiance to the opposition coalition Azimio la Umoja and expressed support for the Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Sifuna continued to dismiss claims that either the Wiper Party or ODM was defecting from the Azimio la Umoja coalition and insisted that the ODM party remained firmly in the opposition coalition.
“People fail to recognize that ODM and Wiper are still in one coalition called Azimio. I recognize Kalonzo Musyoka as my leader under the Azimio coalition. I also recognize Wiper party members as fellow coalition members,” Sifuna stated.
Sifuna’s criticism of President Ruto’s administration is in contrast to his party leader Raila Odinga who has continuously voiced support for the Kenya Kwanza government.
Speaking at the burial of veteran women’s rights advocate Phoebe Asiyo on Friday, August 8, 2025, Raila defended his decision to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“I don’t have any doubt, you can make noise the way you want, but we will be able to move beyond 2027. I am confident we will move beyond 2027, and nobody should try to threaten us,” Raila said.
