“Tone It Down”: Raila Urges Sifuna to Soften Stance After Clash with CS Mbadi

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has stepped in to calm rising tensions within the party after a public fallout between Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi during the funeral of Kasipul MP Charles Were in Oyugis, Homa Bay County.

Addressing mourners on Friday, Raila praised Sifuna’s role as the party’s official spokesperson but urged him to ease up on his combative tone when addressing ODM leaders currently serving in government positions under the Kenya Kwanza-ODM partnership.

“The spokesman of the party is the Secretary General. When Sifuna speaks, he speaks on behalf of the party. But sometimes—sazingine—let’s not be too harsh,” Raila advised in a conciliatory tone.

The ODM boss emphasized that the ongoing collaboration with the Kenya Kwanza administration is guided by a clearly outlined 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at achieving key policy goals. He noted that success by ODM leaders in Cabinet would reflect positively on the party and strengthen its argument for leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His remarks came in response to sharp criticism Sifuna had leveled at CS Mbadi earlier in the week. On Wednesday, Sifuna condemned Mbadi’s failure to appear before the Senate for questioning, stating he would not tolerate impunity from any minister, regardless of political allegiance.

“It doesn’t matter whether they come from ODM or elsewhere,” Sifuna said during Senate proceedings. “They are there to serve the public. We’re not here to protect or babysit anyone.”

But CS Mbadi, a longtime ODM loyalist and the party’s former national chairman, fired back, calling for unity within ODM ranks and expressing frustration over being undermined by colleagues.

“I’m the longest-serving ODM chairman,” Mbadi reminded. “I want to show Kenyans that if Raila had become president, the team we had would have delivered real change. If I fail, you cannot convince voters in 2027 that ODM can run a government.”

He directly addressed Sifuna, saying, “I’m still a member of this party. I haven’t defected. If you don’t support me, you’re weakening the very government we could have formed.”

The rare public exchange highlighted the strain within ODM as it navigates a new political reality—one where opposition leaders now hold key Cabinet positions in a government they did not form. It also reflects the tightrope the party walks between maintaining accountability and preserving unity.

Raila’s timely intervention may cool immediate tensions, but the broader challenge remains: can ODM maintain internal discipline and coherence while participating in government—and still position itself as a credible alternative in 2027?

As ODM balances criticism with collaboration, all eyes will remain on how leaders like Sifuna and Mbadi manage their roles in this evolving political landscape.

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“Tone It Down”: Raila Urges Sifuna to Soften Stance After Clash with CS Mbadi