Siaya Senator and acting ODM leader Oburu Odinga has drawn a clear line between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi, saying the two no longer speak for the party after joining President William Ruto’s government.

Oburu emphasized that the two leaders, now part of the Kenya Kwanza administration, should not be mistaken for official ODM spokespersons.

“Those of us who are in government like John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi, those ones are part of the administration. They are not speaking for our party, the president is their boss,” Oburu said on Sunday.

The Senator explained that Mbadi and Wandayi had to relinquish their party roles when they joined the Cabinet, aligning themselves with the government’s agenda.

“They had to resign their positions to join government,” he added.

Oburu further dismissed claims that ODM lacks direction ahead of the 2027 General Election, insisting that the party maintains a clear political position.

“Those who are saying we don’t have a clear position, we have it. In 2027, when the time comes, either pre-election or post-election coalitions will be discussed,” he affirmed.

He clarified that ODM continues to honor its bipartisan engagement with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), built on a shared 10-point agenda that guides ongoing cooperation.

“For now, we are staying in this broad-based arrangement with UDA, and the issues we are tackling are also on the 10-point agenda. We have not moved out of that and have not said anything more than that,” Oburu emphasized.

Oburu also came to the defense of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, asserting that Sifuna speaks the official position of the ODM party.

“When Sifuna says what he says, he is within his right and that is the correct position of the party. He is not isolated,” Oburu said.

He dismissed calls to oust Sifuna as the party’s Secretary-General, describing him as a dedicated leader who has remained loyal to ODM’s mission.

“I don’t think this is the time to talk about ouster of any member. This is the time to unite the party, and we need all members including Sifuna. In my view, he is doing a good job,” Oburu concluded.