Edwin Sifuna Can Make Strong Presidential Candidate if Raila Endorses Him, Herman Manyora
- Since its birth years ago, the ODM party has had Raila Odinga as its flagship presidential candidate in every electoral cycle
- Raila has not succeeded in all four presidential elections he has vied in while using the ODM party tickets
- Political analyst Herman Manyora now argues that a change of strategy might work, with a new face on the ballot, with Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna being a viable contender
The goings-on in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party have been concerning to many who keenly follow the political outfit.
Source: Twitter
In the recent past, the party has been under a threat of division as members hold different stances, with some threatening to quit.
Compounding things is the position adopted by the party leadership to partner with President William Ruto, with a likely coalition that will endorse the latter for reelection in 2027.
Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has lately been in the spotlight over his open defiance against the position.
He said he would give up his post in ODM should it be made clear that the party will be supporting Ruto.
However, all is not lost in the party, should the members decide to assess the political status quo and settle on what works for the party, says political analyst Herman Manyora.
Can ODM party form government in 2027?
According to Manyora, even with Raila's waning energy due to old age, the ODM party still has a huge chance to form the next government in 2027, even without the veteran politico on the ballot.
He sees Sifuna as a viable candidate should the party endorse him for the presidency.
The analyst argues that Sifuna presents the new blood that the Kenyan public wants at this moment; he is vibrant, a firebrand, untainted, and with an apparent good sense of judgment.
He adds that a fallout between Ruto and Raila will work in favour of the latter, as his party will be united for a noble purpose, the presidency.
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Adding to Sifuna's basket of favours will be his ethnic extraction, which Manyora said would mobilise itself to the last man to support one of their own.
"There is a very dangerous possibility. If Raila were to support someone like Sifuna as a candidate for the presidency, it would be a very serious card. Because that will have the impact of, first of all, uniting ODM. The very fact of Raila leaving Ruto will be so powerful in uniting ODM that Sifuna will start off with a lot of support. Secondly, Sifuna being a Luhya, 100% of the Luhya vote. This time, Luhyas who don't register and who don't vote will register and vote. Those are millions of votes," Manyora said.
Elsewhere, the political analyst observed that Sifuna positively identifies himself with the young population that has, in recent times, been agitating for governance change.
That alone gives him an edge over the others, according to Manyora.
"Why Sifuna may be a dangerous card is that you can see the Gen Zs are trying to find somebody. They have not quite settled. Matiang'i was the person, but when he came back, his entering style was poor," he said.
"So, if Sifuna got the backing of Raila, the Gen Zs would support him full throttle. He's one of their own. He's a young person. He's untainted. He's a firebrand. Sifuna would be a dangerous card. In fact, he would beat Ruto," he added.
Source: Twitter
What is Edwin Sifuna's political future like?
Meanwhile, Sifuna has declared his intention to defend his seat as the Nairobi senator in the 2027 elections.
It is, however, uncertain whether he will use the ODM ticket again.
The firebrand legislator declared that his stay in ODM will be dependent on the party's decision as regards the presidential vote.
Sifuna believes that the ODM party still stands a high chance of forming the next government with Raila as president.
Should the party leader choose to vie, Sifuna said he would be in the party and enhance his loyalty.
However, should the current working pact between the party and Ruto culminate in a pre-election deal, with Ruto as the president flagbearer, then he would bolt out, he said recently in a television interview.
Is Edwin Sifuna forming a political party?
Perhaps having projected the nearness of his exit from ODM, the senator is currently strategising with like-minded leaders from ODM.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi is one of Sifuna's colleagues within ODM who have openly dissented from the party's position to work with Ruto.
On Sunday, August 3, the politicians gathered in Trans Nzoia, where they made telling political declarations.
They are weaving their political faction; labelled Kenya Moja, the movement tends to present itself as the third force challenging the mainstream formations steered by Ruto, Raila, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, among others.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
