The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has called out President William Ruto over his utterances, in which he claimed that the late Raila Odinga could have been his only worthy opponent in the 2027 polls.
Addressing delegates during the party's meeting in Mombasa on Saturday, November 1, Sifuna dismissed Ruto's claims, insisting that ODM was still a formidable force capable of unseating him in the next general elections even without Raila.
Sifuna, who has been critical of Ruto's administration in recent months, went on to reiterate that the party's stability did not depend on a single person but was dependent on a collective effort.
"I have heard people going around claiming that it was only the late Raila who was able to challenge them in the forthcoming 2027 elections. The young lion is still a lion. They will be shocked," Sifuna noted.
While cautioning the Head of State against underestimating ODM's ability, the Nairobi Senator maintained that the party would front candidates in all elective positions in the next general elections.
"I know we will win if we front any candidate in the 2027 elections. Even if you decide to front me as a candidate, we will still win," the ODM Secretary General affirmed.
Sifuna's comments come on the back of Ruto's controversial sentiments in which he hit out at opposition politicians, accusing them of running divisive politics.
Addressing the residents of Kakamega on Thursday, October 30, the President noted that his worthy competitor was former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, insisting that the rest of the competitors did not pose any significant challenge.
Ruto, who spoke on the first day of his development tour in Malava, Kakamega, exuded confidence in clinching the presidency in 2027, adding that he would secure victory very early in the morning of the fateful election day.
"I want to challenge those people who are spreading hate and divisive politics to tell Kenyans their concrete plans for this country rather than mere rhetoric," Ruto commented.
Adding, "The only person who could have posed a challenge against me is Raila, but the rest are nothing to me; I will defeat them very early in the morning."
Ruto stated that slogans such as Wantam and Kasongo would not be enough for the opposition to secure victory at the ballot, reiterating that engaging Kenyans on matters of development would be a more effective approach.
