Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has firmly stated he will not support the party if it endorses President William Ruto in the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Trans Nzoia on Sunday, Sifuna made it clear that although he is committed to reading all official party statements—even those critical of him—he would draw the line at announcing any resolution backing Ruto.

“Since I am the Secretary General of the party, I will read all the resolutions from ODM, even if they insult me, except one. But the day the party decides it wants to support Ruto come 2027, that one I will not read,” he said.

The Nairobi Senator added that if the party opts to support Ruto’s re-election, he would willingly step aside and welcome a replacement.

“Some have said Nyando MP Jared Okelo is better than me because he speaks good English. Be ready if you want to take up my role. If they endorse Ruto, I won’t be a part of that,” he added.

Sifuna backed ODM leader Raila Odinga’s recent remarks reaffirming that the party upholds internal democracy and allows members to voice differing opinions.

“Raila has said that this is a democratic party, and any member is free to speak their mind. Those who say I cannot hold views independent of the party just because I am the Secretary General, and that I must represent the party at all times, I want to tell you that Raila has said I can speak my mind,” Sifuna said.

He has been an outspoken critic of any potential alliance between ODM and Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), warning that such a move would compromise ODM’s credibility as a people-driven movement and weaken its prospects for the future.

In a recent appearance on Citizen TV on July 24, Sifuna reiterated his position, stating he would resign if the party officially backed Ruto.

“The only reason I haven’t resigned is because there’s still some glimmer of hope that my party will eventually see the merger as untenable. If the party decides to go ahead with the merger in 2027, then I will have no option but to resign as SG,” he said.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has since defended Sifuna, affirming that ODM remains a democratic party that welcomes divergent views from its members.