Senator Richard Onyonka has officially labeled Edwin Sifuna as "presidential material," arguing that the embattled secretary-general possesses the courage and clarity required to lead Kenya in the post-Raila era.
During a series of media appearances on February 11, 2026, Onyonka asserted that Sifuna’s refusal to "bow down" to the current administration is exactly what the country needs.
He maintained that Sifuna is not merely a party official but a national symbol of resistance against the "co-option" of the opposition.
Onyonka has directed his harshest criticism toward the interim party leader, Dr. Oburu Oginga. He alleged that Oburu is overseeing the destruction of his late brother’s political vehicle by attempting to turn it into a "junior wing" of the UDA.
Onyonka argued that Oburu lacks the national appeal to steady the party and is instead relying on "palace coups" to silence the "Young Turks" like Sifuna and Babu Owino, who still command a massive grassroots following.
By labeling Sifuna as "presidential material," Onyonka has signaled a shift in the 2027 succession debate.
He argued that Sifuna has spent nine years building a national profile and that his "abrasive" style is simply a reflection of his commitment to the truth.
Onyonka suggested that if ODM continues to purge its most popular leaders, a new political formation led by Sifuna would likely "sweep the country," especially among the youth and urban poor who feel abandoned by the "broad-based" government.
The Kisii Senator framed the conflict as a battle between ideological purity and transactional pragmatism.
He noted that while the Oburu-Wanga faction is focused on "shareholding" within the current regime, Sifuna is focused on the "supremacy of party values."
Onyonka warned that any attempt to gazette Catherine Omanyo as the new SG would be a "legal and political suicide mission" that would lead to a mass exodus from the party in Western Kenya and Nyanza.
Ultimately, Onyonka has pledged his full support for the "Linda Mwananchi" tour, starting with the Kitengela rally on Sunday, February 15, 2026. He intends to use the platform to rally the Gusii community and other minority blocs within ODM to stand with the "Resistance" wing.