Sifuna Turns Up Heat on Ruto Over Sh68 Billion as ODM–UDA Deal Faces First Real Test; Details

ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has renewed pressure on the Kenya Kwanza administration to honour its political pact with the Orange Democratic Movement, citing stalled county funding as proof that key promises remain unfulfilled.

Sifuna spoke out on Wednesday after reports emerged that county governments are struggling to deliver essential services following the national government’s failure to release Sh68 billion owed to them. 

According to the outspoken senator, the funding delay directly violates commitments made under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between ODM and President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance.

In a statement shared on his X account, Sifuna pointed to Article Three of the 10-point agreement, which places strong emphasis on protecting devolution and ensuring counties receive funds on time.

He argued that the agreement explicitly commits both parties to safeguarding devolved functions, increasing financial allocations to counties, and guaranteeing predictable disbursement of funds.

“For devolution to work, counties must not be starved of resources,” Sifuna stated, warning that withholding funds undermines service delivery and weakens the spirit of the political agreement.

The senator’s remarks highlight growing unease within sections of ODM over the pace and sincerity of implementing the broad-based government framework. 

Sifuna has previously expressed reservations about fully backing the arrangement, insisting that cooperation must be matched with tangible action.

The power-sharing understanding was brokered in 2025 between President Ruto and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, shortly before Odinga’s death in October. 

It was presented as a roadmap for political stability and national unity, anchored on a 10-point reform agenda.

Sifuna’s renewed push comes even as the government insists it is moving to fast-track implementation of the agreement and the National Dialogue Committee report ahead of a March 2026 deadline.

Earlier this month, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei was briefed by the Committee on Implementation on progress made since its inaugural meeting in November 2025. 

The committee outlined plans to engage government agencies, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders through consultative forums aimed at smoothing the transition from policy agreements to execution.

Koskei was also presented with a guidance memorandum highlighting specific areas where his office is expected to play a coordinating role to ensure the agenda moves forward. Similar documents are expected to be shared with other institutions involved in the rollout.

Despite these assurances, Sifuna’s intervention suggests that political patience within ODM is wearing thin, with county funding now emerging as a critical test of whether the ODM–UDA pact will translate into real change or remain a paper agreement.