Sifuna signals opposition unity bid to oust Ruto in 2027
Politics
By
David Njaaga
| Apr 30, 2026
Embattled ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna now says the only formula for removing President William Ruto from office in 2027 is a single united opposition coalition.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Maisha on Thursday, April 30, Sifuna said defeating Ruto would require difficult negotiations across opposition ranks, warning that a divided field would hand the president an easy path to re-election.
"This whole process of removing William Ruto will require us to have very difficult negotiations because it will not be easy. He is a seasoned politician who has been around and has his supporters. The formula for removing William Ruto requires us to enter into one coalition so that he faces a single opponent," said Sifuna.
The remarks come even as the Linda Mwananchi faction, which has held mass rallies across Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Vihiga since February, faces questions over whether street mobilisation alone can translate into electoral victory.
Sifuna dismissed claims that the caucus is bankrolled by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, challenging the accusers to produce evidence.
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"They have been saying that all this time, but they have never demonstrated. They have never shown you the evidence," noted Sifuna, adding that the caucus ran on contributions from allied members of parliament and public M-Pesa fundraising.
"On average, if you ask me, our budget for Kisumu was three million shillings. Do I need Uhuru to give me three million shillings?" he stated.
He maintained that the late Raila Odinga never endorsed Ruto's re-election bid and that UDA's engagement with ODM was driven by propaganda rather than genuine policy implementation.
"UDA's interest is not to implement anything that is in writing. They just want a document from which they can run their propaganda," explained Sifuna.
ODM is split between the Linda Mwananchi caucus, which opposes any alignment with Ruto, and the Linda Ground faction led by Party leader Oburu Odinga and chairperson Gladys Wanga, which backs a pre-election coalition with the ruling United Democratic Alliance.
Linda Mwananchi leaders last week vowed to field a presidential candidate in 2027 during rallies in Vihiga County, with Siaya Governor James Orengo declaring the caucus the largest political force in the country.
Sifuna has also signalled openness to working with the United Opposition to avoid splitting the anti-Ruto vote, a move that analysts say could prove decisive in determining whether the opposition can consolidate enough support to mount a credible challenge.