Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is grappling with rising internal tensions, as sharp disagreements emerge between Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and former party chairman, now Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi.

In a pointed interview with Ramogi TV, Mbadi criticized Sifuna for making divisive public statements, urging him to respect the party hierarchy and defer to party leader Raila Odinga. “Between the Party Leader and the Secretary General, whose decision is final?” Mbadi asked rhetorically, reinforcing Odinga’s ultimate authority.

Mbadi also clarified that ODM members who accepted Cabinet positions in the Kenya Kwanza government did so with Odinga’s full knowledge and approval, following extensive consultations with President William Ruto. He dismissed Sifuna’s recent remarks as personal opinions, not reflective of the party’s official position.

Meanwhile, Sifuna has openly acknowledged ODM’s growing internal contradictions. Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Explainer, he admitted the party is struggling with ideological clarity and consistency, leaving both members and supporters uncertain about ODM’s stance on key national issues.

“There is a lot of confusion,” Sifuna said. “It used to be easy to speak for the party because we never compromised on values. Now, it’s difficult to articulate our positions on constitutional rights, devolution, and basic freedoms.”

He cited the presence of ODM leaders in Ruto’s administration as a key source of supporter disillusionment, creating mixed messaging and eroding trust. In a rare admission, Sifuna apologized to the party’s base: “I want to apologise to members of ODM for all the confusion we as a leadership have caused.”

As ODM prepares for its political future, including a potential post-2027 realignment, the party now faces a critical test of unity, direction, and internal discipline—one that could shape its relevance in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.