The latest fallout has placed ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna under intense pressure after he accused senior party figures of plotting to weaken or hand over the party to President William Ruto’s allies.
His remarks have reignited long-standing internal rivalries and reopened painful questions about what went wrong during the last election.
The dispute pits Sifuna against ODM hardliners allied to National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, with both sides trading sharp accusations over campaign funding, election agents, and alleged betrayal of Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.
The dispute pits Sifuna against ODM hardliners allied to National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, with both sides trading sharp accusations over campaign funding, election agents, and alleged betrayal of Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.
Speaking at a funeral service in Murang’a County on Saturday, January 3, Sifuna launched a blistering attack on party insiders he accused of benefiting from former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s support while failing to protect ODM’s interests on the ground.
“You benefited from Uhuru’s money, yet the party had no agents. We were beaten badly in areas we should have won. If things had been done right, we would be in government today,” Sifuna said, directing his remarks at Junet Mohamed.
His comments immediately sparked outrage among Junet’s allies, who accused Sifuna of secretly working with Uhuru Kenyatta to influence the party’s direction following the passing of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
In a strongly worded statement issued later that evening, Junet dismissed Sifuna’s accusations as dishonest and politically motivated.
He claimed the former President had already released funds meant for election agents but that the money was handled by individuals close to the Kenyatta family.
According to Junet, the funds were given to Uhuru Kenyatta’s brother, Muhoho Kenyatta, who then appointed Patrick Mburu to manage recruitment and payment of agents.
Junet alleged that Mburu presented himself as a technology expert capable of preventing manipulation of IEBC results but ultimately failed to deploy agents across key ODM strongholds, including Mt Kenya and Luo Nyanza.
“The operation was run from a highly restricted office in Westlands. Even Raila Odinga himself could not access it freely,” Junet claimed, describing the exercise as a calculated scheme that undermined ODM’s campaign.
He further argued that his appointment as Minority Leader after the election proved that Raila trusted him and did not consider him responsible for the party’s defeat.
Junet also questioned Sifuna’s loyalty, accusing him of “moonlighting” for Uhuru Kenyatta within ODM while demanding accountability from others.
The public exchange has exposed deep mistrust within the party, with ODM supporters increasingly demanding transparency over how campaign funds were used and who was responsible for the failure to deploy agents nationwide.
Political analysts warn that the growing infighting could weaken ODM ahead of future elections, especially as the party struggles to redefine itself after Raila Odinga’s exit from active politics.
With senior leaders now openly accusing each other of betrayal, sabotage, and secret alliances, pressure is mounting on the Kenyatta family and key operatives to clarify their role in the 2022 campaign and address lingering questions that continue to divide the party.
According to Junet, the funds were given to Uhuru Kenyatta’s brother, Muhoho Kenyatta, who then appointed Patrick Mburu to manage recruitment and payment of agents.
Junet alleged that Mburu presented himself as a technology expert capable of preventing manipulation of IEBC results but ultimately failed to deploy agents across key ODM strongholds, including Mt Kenya and Luo Nyanza.
“The operation was run from a highly restricted office in Westlands. Even Raila Odinga himself could not access it freely,” Junet claimed, describing the exercise as a calculated scheme that undermined ODM’s campaign.
He further argued that his appointment as Minority Leader after the election proved that Raila trusted him and did not consider him responsible for the party’s defeat.
Junet also questioned Sifuna’s loyalty, accusing him of “moonlighting” for Uhuru Kenyatta within ODM while demanding accountability from others.
The public exchange has exposed deep mistrust within the party, with ODM supporters increasingly demanding transparency over how campaign funds were used and who was responsible for the failure to deploy agents nationwide.
Political analysts warn that the growing infighting could weaken ODM ahead of future elections, especially as the party struggles to redefine itself after Raila Odinga’s exit from active politics.
With senior leaders now openly accusing each other of betrayal, sabotage, and secret alliances, pressure is mounting on the Kenyatta family and key operatives to clarify their role in the 2022 campaign and address lingering questions that continue to divide the party.