Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

- Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna's reservations about the working agreement between President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga is an open secret.

The lawmaker has once again launched a scathing criticism of the political alliance, calling on Ruto to demonstrate sincerity in the "broad-based" political cooperation.

Speaking during a boda boda empowerment event that drew both ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) members and ODM politicians, Sifuna reignited the debate that has split the Orange outfit.

In his usual fiery style, the ODM secretary-general poured cold water on the broad-based government, challenging Ruto.

"I want to tell these broad-based people sitting here again, I don't know anything called "broad-based." I don’t! And if you love this broad-based idea so much, now that you’re telling us how much you love Raila Odinga, let’s try something," Sifuna stated.

Sifuna pointed out that if Ruto’s government only began functioning effectively after bringing Raila into the fold, as had been claimed by leaders supportive of the Ruto-Raila truce, then it is only fair that Ruto reciprocates the goodwill by shelving his 2027 ambitions and backing Raila for president.

"Ruto should step aside for Baba. That’s how we’ll know this broad-based idea is real. That’s the only kind of broad-based politics Sifuna will recognise. Ruto finishes in 2027 and hands over to Baba, because clearly, Baba is the one doing the work now," Sifuna stated, drawing cheers.

Sifuna, a key voice in the party, has increasingly emerged as a counterweight to voices within ODM that appear to be warming up to the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Addressing the elephant in the room, whether ODM would support Ruto’s re-election, Sifuna flatly dismissed the idea, asserting that the party had no intentions of abandoning its long-standing quest for the presidency.

"Just the other day, Raila told me two things: he said let the rest keep talking, but the official party position comes from the Secretary-General. So let me give you that party position. We’re still cleaning up and organising our party. We’ve conducted grassroots elections, yes, there were a few issues here and there, but we’ll sort them out," he explained.

According to him, all ODM’s current efforts, from the recent grassroots mobilisation to policy re-alignment, are geared toward contesting and winning the presidency in 2027.

"We haven’t abandoned our ambition to lead this country," he insisted, explaining that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Raila and Ruto was never a political surrender.

In a related report, Raila addressed internal party disagreements regarding the memorandum of understanding with the ruling UDA party.

He affirmed that Sifuna is the official spokesperson of ODM and acknowledged Sifuna's criticisms of Ruto's government.

He urged Sifuna to moderate his statements and maintain unity within the party.

Source: TUKO.co.ke