Political tensions within the ODM party have taken a new turn after Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga made strong claims about the source of funding for the ongoing ODM Linda Ground rallies.
Her remarks followed a statement by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna that raised questions about how the expensive political gatherings are being financed.
The issue has also emerged at a time when the party is dealing with internal disagreements and criticism directed at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta over changes made during the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya summit.
“I can state authoritatively that the money you see being spent in those rallies does not come from ODM HQ,” said ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on a Citizen TV interview on Tuesday.
Sifuna’s statement quickly attracted attention and sparked heated debate among political supporters and critics. Many questioned who was paying for the rallies, which have included large crowds, helicopters, tents, and party merchandise.
Ruth Odinga came out publicly to defend Sifuna and to challenge those who were attacking him. She used her social media accounts to question the motives of those criticizing the party leadership and demanded answers about the source of funds.
“Those with the answers, why can’t you provide them? Are governors funding the campaigns? Are MPs doing it from the CDF kitty? Did we get a philanthropist that a party SG is not aware of who is funding the clearly expensive public fora? And what is in it for the ‘philanthropist’?” posed Ruth Odinga.
In her remarks, she expressed concern that the large sums being spent on the rallies might be coming from outside the party structure.
She claimed that the government could be supporting the events as a way to influence the party’s direction ahead of next year’s General Election.
She argued that if funds were officially given to the party, leaders would have more independence, but direct control by outside forces could shape what is said at the gatherings.
“The government has the option of releasing the funds to the party, but when that happens, they will lack control. So, they must be the ones controlling the show, where they decide who is ‘invited’ to the Linda Ground tents, and what they say once they get there,” she claimed.
Ruth also raised doubts about political agreements involving President William Ruto and warned supporters to be cautious about promises made during negotiations. She questioned whether commitments made in the past would be honoured in the future.
“If President Ruto does not honour an agreement he signed with a man he said helped him steady a ship called Kenya that was sinking following the Gen-Z protests, how sure are you that he will honour the pre-election pact you are all talking about? Will he use a different signature?” she posed.
Meanwhile, Sifuna reiterated that the party had not been funding the rallies, noting that ODM had been struggling with financial challenges.
“The last money we expended as ODM officially was in the celebrations in Mombasa, and it was a fraction of what is being used,” said Sifuna.
At the same time, ODM leaders criticized changes made within the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In a letter to the Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorianokou, signed by Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen, the party declared the changes null and void, saying key members including Dr Oburu Oginga were not consulted as required.
The ongoing disputes and allegations continue to deepen divisions within the coalition as political tensions grow ahead of the next election.
