The fragile unity of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing its sternest test since the departure of Raila Odinga. A covert faction within the party has initiated a maneuver to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from the coveted Secretary General position, signaling a brutal internal power struggle.

As the National Executive Committee (NEC) convenes today, the atmosphere is thick with intrigue. While the official agenda is benign—updates on coalition building—the corridors are whispering of a "Sifuna Must Go" campaign. The Nairobi Senator, known for his acerbic wit and combative style, has reportedly alienated key power brokers who view him as an impediment to the party`s new strategic direction under Oburu Oginga.

The Gachagua Man Allegation

The conflict is ideological as much as it is personal. Detractors have branded Sifuna a "Gachagua man," accusing him of maintaining clandestine links with the former Deputy President and resisting the party`s cooperation with President William Ruto`s administration. Homa Bay Town MP George Kaluma has been particularly vocal, hinting on social media that Sifuna is living on "borrowed time" and faces imminent removal from both his party post and his Senate leadership role.

However, ousting Sifuna is no simple task. He commands a significant following among the party`s youthful base and has been a loyal defender of the ODM brand. Any attempt to decapitate the party secretariat could trigger a backlash that the newly installed leadership might struggle to contain.

• The Charges: Alleged disloyalty, opposing the Broad-Based Government deal, and being a mole for rival factions.
• The Defense: Sifuna maintains he is a loyal member and that no one can kick him out of a party he has served for nine years.
• The Arbiter: Party Leader Oburu Oginga has previously intervened to save Sifuna, but his patience may be wearing thin.

A Party at a Crossroads

The timing of this purge is critical. With the 2027 General Election looming, ODM is desperate to present a united front. Yet, the internal cannibalism suggests a party struggling to define its identity in a post-Raila era. Is it an opposition watchdog or a government partner?

If Sifuna falls, it will mark the definitive end of the radical ODM era and the consolidation of a more compliant, centrist leadership. But as history shows, Sifuna does not go down without a fight. The battle for the soul of the Orange party has only just begun.