The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is a house in transition, shaking from the aftershocks of losing its patriarch. Yet, amidst the crumbling pillars, one column stands defiantly rigid: Edwin Sifuna.

The Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General has laughed off reports of an imminent coup to unseat him. As the Azimio coalition reconfigures itself under the new leadership of Kalonzo Musyoka, Sifuna has become the target of those seeking to purge the party of its most volatile elements. His response to the threats is a study in political jujitsu.

Chaos as a Ladder

"No one can kick me out," is the subtext of his confident media appearances. While acknowledging the tension, Sifuna insists that his mandate comes from the party members, not the boardroom deal-makers. His position is precarious yet powerful; he is the voice of the opposition's id, the man who says what the carefully managed coalition leaders dare not.

During a prime-time interview, Sifuna framed his potential exit not as a defeat, but as a liberation. "If they want the seat, they can have it," he quipped, knowing full well that the vacuum he leaves would be impossible to fill without fracturing the party’s Nairobi support base.

The Shadow of 2027

The friction stems from the party’s strategy for the 2027 General Election. Sifuna has been a vocal critic of the "cooperation" stance adopted by some ODM factions towards the Kenya Kwanza administration. His refusal to tone down his rhetoric has made him a liability to those seeking a unity government, but a hero to the die-hard opposition supporters.

• Loyalty Test: Sifuna’s survival will be the first major test of Kalonzo Musyoka’s authority as the new coalition boss. Can he tame the ODM firebrand?
• Grassroots Power: Sifuna bets that his popularity on the ground protects him from the machinations of the elite.

The Unfinished Business

With the party still mourning Raila Odinga, Sifuna positions himself as the guardian of the original "reformist" spirit. Whether this is genuine conviction or political survivalism is up for debate. But one thing is certain: if Edwin Sifuna is leaving ODM, he will not go quietly. He will burn the house down on his way out.