Embattled ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. Photo/People Daily
By Wanderi Kamau
The new-found political fame of embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has raised questions as to whether this is a temporary political fame associated with Kenya’s different euphoric cycles, or whether he is the new political “king” of Kenya’s politics – one who is here to stay.
This is because, in the past, Kenya has had super-popular political leaders whose stars shone brightly – mostly for being anti-system – but later dimmed like falling meteors.
Some of these figures include Peoples’ Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua (when she was Raila Odinga’s running-mate in 2022), Charity Ngilu (when she vied for the presidency in 1997), Peter Kenneth (when he vied for presidency in 2013), former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter (for being anti-William Ruto in the Rift Valley) and former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju (for being pro-Mwai Kibaki in 2007 when the entire Luoland was behind the late Raia).
Will Sifuna’s political star remain intact, or will it also dim like a falling meteorite?
The ‘Linda Mwananchi’ surge
So far, Sifuna has transformed from a mere party administrator into a symbol of resistance within a fractured opposition.
Following the death of ODM founding leader Raila Odinga in October 2025, Sifuna has emerged at the helm of the “Linda Mwananchi” movement, a faction that has successfully pulled massive crowds in rallies across Kitengela and Busia.
Led by Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, this faction frames itself as the “true opposition”.
They advocate for a “one-term” narrative, insisting that ODM must remain independent, prioritize citizen grievances like the high cost of living, and field its own presidential candidate in 2027.
Read more: Edwin Sifuna removed as ODM Secretary-General
This is in opposition to the Linda Ground faction, spearheaded by ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and Chairperson Gladys Wanga.
The group supports President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027. They argue that ODM’s interests are best served within the current “broad-based government” and are exploring a formal 2027 coalition with Ruto’s UDA to ensure they remain in power
By positioning himself against the “broad-based government” pact between ODM and President William Ruto’s UDA, Sifuna has tapped into a growing urban and youth-led disillusionment.
Political analyst Macharia Munene notes that Sifuna has successfully transitioned from party machinery to a grassroots force
“He might not control the majority of the ODM party organs, but with the few he has, he has the people,” he says.
This sentiment suggests that while party elites in Mombasa recently moved to “relieve” him of his duties on February 11, 2026, his popularity outside the boardroom has only intensified.
Navigating the ODM ‘civil war’
Sifuna’s current battle is an ideological war for the soul of ODM.
While the National Executive Committee (NEC), led by Oburu, has attempted to install Catherine Omanyo as acting Secretary-General, Sifuna has successfully secured a stay from the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to block his removal.
Critics, however, argue that his “anti-system” stance is a gamble that could leave him isolated.
Some party insiders have branded him an “undisciplined” rebel for refusing to endorse the party’s cooperation with the ruling UDA.
Read more: Police teargas Sifuna’s ‘Linda Mwananchi’ group rally in Kitengela
Munene suggests Sifuna is “gambling with high expectations,” banking on a “tyranny of the youth” and a cross-ethnic coalition in Nairobi to sustain his relevance beyond the current ODM infighting.
Getting solid organic support
Whether Sifuna becomes a political tsunami or a fading meteorite depends on his ability to convert “likes” and rally crowds into a sustainable political structure. High approval ratings – reaching 70.1% in recent performance indices – show he is currently the most popular senator in Kenya.
However, history is a harsh teacher.
Like Kenneth or Keter, the transition from an articulate dissident to a national kingmaker is fraught with risk.
“If Sifuna can maintain his ‘one-term’ narrative for the current administration while successfully navigating the legal and political “hell’s kitchen” of ODM, he may well be the first of a new generation to break the “passing cloud” curse,” says political analyst James Muhia.
For now, the Nairobi Senator remains at the center of a battle that will define the post-Raila era.
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