Kisumu — Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has come out strongly in defence of ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, claiming that the government is secretly funding the party’s Linda Ground rallies to influence and control ODM ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking through her social media platforms, Ruth said the funding of the rallies does not come from ODM headquarters, echoing remarks earlier made by Sifuna during a Citizen TV interview.
“I can state authoritatively that the money being spent in those rallies does not come from ODM HQ,” Sifuna said, a statement that has since sparked intense political debate within the party.
Ruth Odinga questioned the source of the large sums of money being used to organise the rallies, which have featured helicopter transport, large tents, and branded ODM merchandise.
“Those attacking Sifuna should answer simple questions. Are governors funding the rallies? Are MPs using CDF money? Or is there a mysterious philanthropist funding expensive public meetings without the knowledge of the party’s Secretary General?” she asked.
She alleged that the government was sponsoring the rallies as a way to control who attends the meetings and what messages are delivered, arguing that direct funding to ODM would deny the government that control.
“The government prefers to run the show from behind the scenes—deciding who gets invited and what they say—so that opposing voices are silenced,” she claimed.
Ruth further accused President William Ruto’s administration of using the rallies to push a pro-government narrative within ODM, particularly the popular “Tutaam” chant, while weakening dissenting voices.
She also cast doubt on President Ruto’s commitment to political agreements, questioning whether he would honour any pre-election pact with ODM leaders.
“If the President failed to honour the agreement he signed after the Gen-Z protests, what assurance is there that he will respect the next one?” she asked.
The Woman Representative further claimed that the government had failed to fully implement the 10-point agenda agreed upon between President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga last year.
Her remarks come amid growing tension within ODM and the wider Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition, following the party’s rejection of recent leadership changes overseen by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
ODM has since written to the Registrar of Political Parties, demanding that the changes be frozen, arguing that key party officials—including ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga—were not consulted as required by the coalition’s agreement.
Meanwhile, Sifuna has maintained that ODM is facing serious financial challenges, revealing that the party—currently burdened by a Ksh.12 billion debt—has not spent any official funds since November last year.
“The last official spending was during celebrations in Mombasa, and even that was a fraction of what we are seeing now,” he said.
The controversy highlights deepening divisions within ODM as the country edges closer to the next General Election.
