The simmering war for the soul of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has erupted into the open, with Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga throwing her weight behind embattled Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.

In a direct challenge to the party’s old guard, Ruth has publicly faulted the camp led by Oburu Oginga for what she terms a "hurried" and proceduraly flawed attempt to remove Sifuna from office. Her intervention exposes the widening cracks within the opposition giant, pitting a faction eager for cooperation with the government against hardliners determined to maintain the party’s militant edge.

A House Divided

Speaking during a candid interview, Ruth Odinga—sister to the party’s late patriarch Raila Odinga—did not mince words. She argued that Sifuna has not contravened any core party values and that his removal by the National Executive Committee (NEC) bypassed critical internal dispute resolution mechanisms. "We must exhaust all mechanisms before resorting to such drastic action," she declared, emphasizing that the party’s constitution provides for arbitration and mediation before expulsion.

The conflict stems from a fundamental ideological split. Sifuna has been the face of resistance against any "broad-based" deal with President William Ruto’s administration, a stance that has alienated him from the Oburu-led faction which advocates for a more conciliatory approach. The NEC meeting in Mombasa, which resolved to oust him, is viewed by Sifuna’s allies as a "kangaroo court" orchestrated to pave the way for a formal coalition ahead of 2027.

• The Defender: Ruth Odinga, a key NEC member, voted against the removal.
• The Accused: Edwin Sifuna, accused of "undermining party leadership."
• The Split: The "Resistance" faction (Sifuna/Orengo) vs. the "Cooperation" faction (Oburu/Wanga).
• The Status: The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has temporarily barred the ouster.

The Ghost of Procedures Past

Ruth’s defense of Sifuna is significant because it invokes the legacy of Raila Odinga’s adherence to due process. By criticizing the "hurried" nature of the ouster, she is suggesting that the current leadership is betraying the democratic ethos the party was founded on. She argued that Sifuna should have been afforded a fair hearing to answer to the accusations leveled against him.

Political observers note that this is not just about one man’s job; it is a battle for the party’s identity. If Sifuna falls, the path is clear for ODM to pivot toward the center and potentially into a formal pact with the government. If he survives, the party remains a thorn in the side of the administration.

The Kitengela Flashpoint

The tensions were further inflamed by a recent rally in Kitengela, where Sifuna addressed a charged crowd. Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris alleged that supporters were "ferried" to the event to manufacture the optics of popularity, a claim that underscores the paranoia now gripping the party. Each side is mobilizing, not just in the boardroom, but on the streets.

As the tribunal prepares to hear the substantive case, the ODM house remains precariously balanced. Ruth Odinga’s refusal to toe the line signals that the attempt to sanitize the party leadership will be neither smooth nor silent. For now, the orange flag flies over a battlefield.