Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has declared the party’s political memorandum of understanding (MoU) with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) null and void, citing continued police brutality and betrayal of the deal’s spirit by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking during a candid interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Sifuna said the original intention of the MoU had been grossly violated and reduced to a political public relations (PR) tool by Ruto’s team.
“I have already declared this MoU dead. I’ve said it publicly. I’m not a mortician—I don’t go back to examine a dead body. There’s no point in continuing with something that’s lost its meaning,” he said.
MoU Betrayed by Violence and Empty Promises
According to Sifuna, the ODM-UDA MoU was premised on two key goals: ending state violence against ODM supporters and protecting Kenya’s democratic space. However, he noted that ODM supporters continue to face harassment and lethal force from police.
He specifically pointed to the recent death of Albert Ojwang, an ODM supporter who died in a police cell under unclear circumstances, as the final straw.
“The moment Albert Ojwang was killed, this MoU became meaningless. There’s no political gain that can compensate for a life lost.”
Sifuna said the government was reaping the benefits of political calm and a cooperative opposition while offering ODM no protections in return.
Rift With Raila? Not Quite
The Nairobi Senator confirmed that he had voiced his frustrations directly to ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
“I’ve spoken to Baba. I explained the difficulties I’m facing trying to justify what we’re doing with a rogue regime. This isn’t what I was taught in politics,” he said.
Despite their differences over the pact, Sifuna reaffirmed his loyalty to Odinga, whom he described as “the only political leader I’ve ever known.”
ODM Supporters Are Unhappy
Sifuna noted that ODM’s powerful grassroots network is growing increasingly critical of the party’s cooperation with Kenya Kwanza.
“From Mandera to Tana River to the Coast, they’re telling Baba this relationship is hurting us politically.”
He also revealed that he had opposed the MoU from the start.
“I am on record advising the party against doing this MoU. But we went ahead anyway. Unfortunately, I was proven right.”
‘They Just Wanted PR’
Sifuna accused the UDA of using the MoU solely for political optics rather than implementing its agreed provisions.
“They wanted a document to run a PR campaign—something to parade and say ‘tumeungana.’ But this document didn’t establish any coalition. That’s the false impression they’ve created.”
He added that managing the political fallout from the unpopular cooperation deal had fallen unfairly on him as Secretary-General.
“I warned that this would become a PR disaster, and now I’m the one stuck managing it.”
What’s Next?
Sifuna’s remarks now raise questions about the future of bipartisan cooperation between the opposition and the Kenya Kwanza government—especially with the 2027 General Election just two years away. Sifuna’s declaration is likely to fuel tensions both within ODM and across the wider political landscape.
