The orange house is burning from the inside. National Treasury CS John Mbadi has openly declared war on his own party’s Secretary General, demanding the immediate expulsion of Edwin Sifuna in a clash that threatens to tear ODM apart.

The facade of unity within the Orange Democratic Movement has shattered. John Mbadi, the former party chairman turned Cabinet Secretary, has launched a blistering offensive against the current Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna. Mbadi’s demand is absolute: Sifuna and his "allies" must be purged from the party leadership. This is not a mere difference of opinion; it is a battle for the soul of the party in the post-Raila era. Mbadi accuses Sifuna of undermining the party’s values and, crucially, of sabotaging the cooperation between the opposition and the government.

The conflict highlights the deep ideological rift that has formed since ODM members joined the Cabinet. Sifuna has remained the face of the "resistance," maintaining a hardline stance against the Ruto administration, while Mbadi represents the faction that has chosen cooperation. Mbadi sees Sifuna’s continued abrasiveness as a liability to the newfound stability, viewing the Secretary General as an obstacle to the "broad-based government" experiment.

The Charges Against Sifuna

Mbadi’s camp has laid out a series of grievances that they believe warrant expulsion:

• Sabotage: Accusations that Sifuna is actively working against the interests of party members serving in government.
• Disrespect: Claims of insubordination and public disparagement of senior party elders.
• Divisive rhetoric: The belief that Sifuna’s brand of politics is alienating the party’s moderate base and potential coalition partners.

The Battle for Control

Edwin Sifuna, however, is not an easy target. As the Senator of Nairobi, he commands a significant urban base and the loyalty of the party’s youthful "radical" wing. He views Mbadi as a sellout who has been compromised by the trappings of ministerial power. The attempt to expel him is likely to backfire, galvanizing his supporters and potentially splitting the party down the middle.

This confrontation is the opening salvo in the war of succession. With Raila Odinga’s active involvement waning, the fight is on to determine who controls the machinery of Kenya’s oldest political party. Mbadi’s move is a high-risk gamble: if he fails to dislodge Sifuna, he risks isolating himself further. But if he succeeds, it signals the complete transformation of ODM from a party of protest to a party of government compliance.