President William Ruto has intensified his charm offensive on the Western region, hosting a high-powered delegation of Kakamega MPs at State House, even as the political storm around "ousted" ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna gathers pace.

In a calculated move to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 cycle, President William Ruto met with key legislators from Kakamega County at State House, Nairobi, on Monday. The agenda was officially billed as "development," but the political undertones were deafening. With the exception of Mumias East MP Peter Salasya and Malava’s David Ndakwa, the entire caucus attended, signaling a potential shift in the region's loyalty. This meeting comes at a critical juncture, precisely as the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) threatens to implode over its relationship with the government.

The President's engagement with the MPs—including ODM stalwarts like Johnson Naicca (Mumias West) and Tindi Mwale (Butere)—is seen as a direct challenge to the opposition's grip on the Mulembe nation. It also serves as a prelude to a weekend of high-stakes political theater, with defiant Senator Edwin Sifuna planning a major rally this Saturday.

The Sifuna Factor: "I Am Going Nowhere"

While the President builds bridges, Edwin Sifuna is burning them. The Nairobi Senator, who was purportedly "ousted" as ODM Secretary General by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) last week, has dismissed the move as null and void. Backed by Siaya Governor James Orengo, Sifuna insists he remains the legitimate spokesperson of the party. "The surest way for ODM to end up in opposition is to be entangled with William Ruto," Sifuna declared, framing his "ouster" as a punishment for refusing to sanitize the government.

A Party at War with Itself

The conflict lays bare the ideological fracture within ODM. On one side, the "Government Cooperation" faction led by figures like Oburu Oginga, who view the Broad-Based Government (BBG) as a pragmatic necessity. On the other, the "Gen Z" aligned faction led by Sifuna, who view any cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration as a betrayal of the "Revolution."

• The Meeting: Ruto hosted 10+ Kakamega MPs to discuss infrastructure and the "Bottom-Up" agenda in the region.
• The Ouster: NEC cited "gross misconduct" for Sifuna's removal; Sifuna claims it is because he opposes the "handshake."
• The Stakes: Control over the Western voting bloc and the soul of the ODM party post-Raila influence.

Saturday Showdown

All eyes now turn to Saturday's rally. Sifuna, fresh from a chaotic tour in Kitengela where a supporter was tragically shot, has vowed to continue his "Linda Mwananchi" tours. The rally is expected to be a litmus test for his popularity and a direct rebuttal to the State House meeting. "We will not be silenced by boardroom coups," Sifuna stated. "The party belongs to the people, not the highest bidder."

As 2027 draws nearer, the battle lines are drawn not just between the government and opposition, but within the opposition itself. For Ruto, a divided ODM is a gift; for Sifuna, it is a fight for political survival.