Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has defended his decision to remain in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), despite declaring that he will not seek re-election on the party’s ticket in the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna argued that resigning from his seat about 10 months before the polls would impose unnecessary financial costs on the country and taxpayers by triggering avoidable by-elections.
Speaking to journalists at his Nairobi office on Friday, October 9, the senator clarified that he had not quit ODM but had only announced his intention to contest the next election outside the party.
He also invoked President William Ruto’s political history to challenge calls for him to vacate his seat before the end of his term.
Responding to questions about why he had not resigned, Sifuna asked why similar demands were not being directed at the Head of State.
“Ask William Ruto. When did William Ruto resign to join UDA? And we all understand that we have to prepare for the next election,” he said.
The senator recently unveiled The Equitable Party (TEP), which he intends to use as his political vehicle in the 2027 elections, where he is eyeing the presidency.
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Sifuna is aligned with the Linda Mwananchi faction, a group largely comprising ODM members opposed to supporting Ruto’s re-election bid. His position has attracted growing pressure from sections of the political establishment to resign and seek a fresh mandate under his new party.
However, he maintained that such a move would be an unnecessary burden on the public, given how close the country is to the next General Election.
Sifuna warned that if politicians who no longer intend to contest on ODM tickets resigned en masse, the country would be forced to conduct numerous by-elections at considerable public expense.
“If all of us who have decided that we will no longer seek election on ODM decided to resign our positions and go back to the people for re-election ten months to the general election, where do you think that is going to leave the country and the taxpayer? You would have a mini general election,” he stated.
He argued that the country should instead be preparing for the 2027 elections rather than spending resources on multiple by-elections that could soon be followed by the national polls.
The Nairobi senator further observed that political realignments were taking place across different parties, insisting that his decision was not unique.
He noted that some politicians had abandoned the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to support other political formations, while several ODM members had declared their support for UDA well before he announced his own plans for 2027.
Sifuna accused his critics of applying double standards by singling him out over his decision to remain in office while preparing to contest on a different party ticket.
“It is hypocrisy that that question is only asked to Sifuna. I’ve not heard any other person being asked that question,” he said.
The senator reiterated that he remains a registered ODM member and that Nairobi residents elected him on the party’s ticket. He maintained that his current political differences with the party do not invalidate the mandate given to him by voters.
According to Sifuna, his election represents a five-year commitment to the people of Nairobi, which he intends to honour until the end of his term.
He added that announcing his intention to leave ODM’s electoral platform well ahead of the next polls was a matter of transparency with his constituents.
“I’m still a member of ODM, and the people of Nairobi elected me on ODM. We have a contract for five years, but I am explaining to the public that I will not run on ODM because ODM is now in the hands of William Ruto. Where is the problem with that?” he posed.
Sifuna attributed his decision not to seek re-election on the ODM ticket to what he described as President Ruto’s growing influence over the party, arguing that its current political direction no longer accommodates his ambitions.
He nevertheless maintained that he would formally leave ODM closer to the 2027 General Election.
His remarks have added to the growing political debate over party loyalty, elected leaders’ mandates and the shifting alliances taking shape ahead of the next polls.