Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has launched a scathing attack on ousted ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, accusing the embattled senator of betraying the party’s values as the Orange Democratic Movement fractures ahead of the 2027 polls.

The political tremors within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have intensified, with Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris publicly backing the ouster of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his powerful role as Secretary General. In a candid critique delivered this morning, Passaris described Sifuna as a "let-down" to the party, validating the National Executive Committee's (NEC) decision to remove him from office earlier this week on grounds of indiscipline and undermining collective decisions.

This verbal salvo marks a significant escalation in the internal wars consuming Kenya’s main opposition party. Sifuna, once the firebrand voice of the party and a staunch defender of Raila Odinga, was unceremoniously removed from his position on February 11, 2026, during a high-stakes NEC meeting in Mombasa. His removal has split the party down the middle, exposing a generational and ideological rift that threatens to sink the outfit before the next general election.

The "Indiscipline" Charge and the New Order

Passaris’s comments are not merely personal; they reflect a broader realignment within ODM. "You cannot claim to lead a party while undermining its structures," Passaris noted, referring to Sifuna’s recent combative stance against the party's old guard. The NEC accused Sifuna of operating a "party within a party," a charge substantiated by his links to the newly registered People's Renaissance Movement (PM). While Sifuna has denied official ties to PM, the party’s branding—featuring a hummingbird and the slogan "The Change We Need"—has been heavily promoted by his supporters.

The ouster has triggered a legal battle, with Sifuna rushing to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to stay the NEC’s decision. However, politically, the damage appears irreversible. By siding with the NEC, Passaris is positioning herself firmly within the established hierarchy, a move calculated to secure her own political future as she pivots her ambitions.

The Makadara Gambit: Passaris Shifts Gear

Amidst the chaos, Passaris has made a strategic declaration that changes the chessboard of Nairobi politics. She has officially announced her bid for the Makadara Constituency parliamentary seat in 2027, moving away from the county-wide Woman Representative position. "I have served two terms, and it is time to pass the baton to another woman," she stated, revealing that her decision has the blessings of current Makadara MP George Aladwa, who is eyeing the Nairobi Governorship.

• Strategic Zoning: Passaris revealed that ODM is in zoning talks with coalition partners, likely the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in a "broad-based government" framework. Her move to Makadara is likely a pre-negotiated safe landing.
• The Gender Card: She emphasized her desire to see more women in single-constituency seats, lamenting that Nairobi currently has too few female MPs.

The Gen Z Factor and Sifuna’s Rebellion

Sifuna’s ouster is widely seen as a purge of the "radical" wing of ODM. The Senator has cultivated a massive following among Generation Z and Millennials, using his oratory skills and social media savvy to critique the government—and often his own party’s cooperation with it. His supporters, including EALA MP Winnie Odinga, view his removal as a betrayal of the youth who rejuvenated the party.

Passaris, however, represents the pragmatic wing that favors stability and negotiation. Her labeling of Sifuna as a "let-down" suggests that the party's leadership views his brand of agitational politics as a liability in the current era of "handshake" or "cooperation" politics. As the dust settles, ODM stands at a crossroads: it must choose between the disruptive energy of Sifuna’s youth brigade and the disciplined, transactional politics advocated by Passaris and the NEC. For now, the "Iron Lady" of Nairobi has cast her stone, and it has landed squarely on the glass house of the ousted Secretary General.