Africa-Press – Kenya. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has publicly questioned what she described as an inconsistency in embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna’s position regarding the formation of the broad-based government arrangement.
Speaking in Dholuo while leading ODM’s Linda Ground grassroots meetings in Ragumo, Kisumu East Constituency, on Wednesday, February 25, the ODM chairperson outlined how the broad-based government framework came into being.
Wanga said that the ten-point agenda associated with the arrangement was drafted in Sifuna’s office at the KICC, under the guidance of Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o. According to her, Sifuna later signed and communicated the party’s position on behalf of ODM.
Sifuna has repeatedly appeared to caution against internal voices aligned with the government-backed “broad-based” initiative, insisting it does not supersede ODM’s identity or structure.
Speaking during a party event in Mombasa on November 1, 2025, Sifuna said, “The so-called broad-based government is not a party, has no candidates, and should not be used to sow confusion,” he said.
Sifuna then confirmed that he personally drafted the ODM-UDA working agreement and stressed that it does not amount to a coalition agreement, but according to him, the pact was meant to serve a specific transitional purpose and should not be used to dilute ODM’s brand.
“I am the one who wrote that ODM-UDA agreement, and I know what is in it. This agreement does not constitute a coalition agreement with UDA,” he clarified.
“Raila told us to keep this identity, so let us keep our identity; yangu ni Chungwa (Orange).”
Wanga, further stated that on November 16, she convened an ODM National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to deliberate on the way forward following the passing of former party leader Raila Odinga a day earlier.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga during ODM’s Linda Ground grassroots meetings in Ragumo, Kisumu East Constituency. /HANDOUTDuring that meeting, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir proposed that the party appoint a caretaker leader to steer it through the transition period. The proposal was seconded by ODM Deputy Party Leader Governor Simba Arati and was unanimously endorsed by the NEC, Wanga said.She added that the meeting was attended by several NEC members, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and MP Caleb Amisi, who supported the decision to appoint Dr Oburu as party leader.
Wanga also referenced a subsequent National Governing Council (NGC) meeting held in Mombasa during the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
She stated that Sifuna, in his capacity as Secretary General, oversaw the swearing-in of Oburu Odinga as party leader. She questioned why he would later suggest that the leadership was not properly constituted.
Additionally, Wanga said that in January, ODM Party Leader Dr Oginga convened a Central Committee meeting in Kilifi to prepare the party for the new year and to discuss power negotiations ahead of the next general election.
According to her, Sifuna travelled to Mombasa but did not attend the meeting, later indicating that he had missed his flight. The Central Committee proceeded in his absence and resolved to initiate talks with President William Ruto.
Wanga maintained that ODM would continue strengthening the party and clarified that it is not pursuing an opposition stance but rather focusing on its strategic direction moving forward.
