Why Removing Sifuna From ODM Could Break the Party, Says Jubilee’s Kioni

A major warning about Kenya’s opposition politics has been issued. Jeremiah Kioni, the Secretary-General of the Jubilee Party, recently spoke on Spice FM. He argued that removing Edwin Sifuna from the ODM party would be a dangerous move. Kioni believes such an action would split ODM into pieces. This statement highlights seriousinternal party divisions within one of Kenya’s largest political groups.
Why would removing one person cause so much damage? Kioni gave a clear reason. He stated that Edwin Sifuna has managed to capture the imagination of a sizeable number of ODM followers. He built this strong connection during the time of the late party leader, Raila Odinga. Sifuna’s political influence continues to be significant even now. This shows his deep support base is not easily replaced.

The division runs along old battle lines. Kioni explained that Sifuna’s followers include two groups. The first are those who agreed with “Baba” Raila Odinga when he joined the broad-based government. The second are those who disagreed with that decision. This means Sifuna’s support unites different viewpoints. Forcing him out could reopen these old political disagreements and fragment the party further.
What does this mean for ODM and Kenyan politics? Internal fights often weaken a party’s focus. When energy is spent on managing conflicts, less is available for national issues. A split can also confuse voters and reduce the opposition’s strength. Strong parties need unity to effectively serve the people who support them.
In summary, Jeremiah Kioni’s comments are a crucial analysis of current political risks. Expelling a figure with a major following is not a simple change. It is a gamble that can break a party’s unity. For ODM, the path forward requires careful thought to avoid deepening divisions and losing supporter trust.



