ODM leaders defend Ruto's affordable housing project, rebuke Sifuna over criticism

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo has warned Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna against his criticism of the Affordable Housing Programme, saying the initiative is intended to improve living standards by providing decent housing to millions of Kenyans.

Omanyo was responding to remarks made by Sifuna earlier this week, in which he downplayed the significance of the project, citing cultural concerns in the Western region.

"Watu wengine hawaelewi affordable housing mtu anacheka; kazi ni kutusi even that which will help them because the president has a good plan to help families through the housing programme," she said.

Earlier, while speaking at Pawa Centre in Nairobi, ODM leaders, including Makadara MP George Aladwa, Kibra MP Peter Orero and Omanyo, criticised the opposition led by DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, urging it to abandon tribal politics and stop attempting to ring-fence regions.

"DCP and ODM are the only two major parties in Nairobi, but for those who know ODM, hii ndio chama ambayo iko na demokrasia kuliko vyama vyote. We will ensure every tribe has equal rights in acquiring seats in Nairobi. We are not in Wamunyoro na hatutaki tribal politics," Aladwa said.

The ODM leaders praised the broad-based administration as they rallied support for President William Ruto's re-election bid in 2027.

The leaders spoke after meeting a section of members of the Kalenjin community, who vowed to field several candidates in Nairobi County during the 2027 General Election.

Omanyo's criticism adds to the already escalating verbal spat between President Ruto and Sifuna over the government's flagship affordable housing programme.

The war of words erupted after Senator Sifuna criticised the high-rise residential buildings being constructed under Ruto's housing initiative.

Speaking during a radio interview on July 22, 2026, Sifuna questioned the cultural and practical suitability of multi-storey units for rural and traditional communities, finding the model unsuitable, especially to people of his Luhya community. 

Invoking chicken, a much-loved delicacy and livestock of choice amongst people of the Western region, Sifuna cheekily poked holes into the idea behind the high-rise buildings, noting that chicken would encounter trouble accessing the highest floors. 

"As people from the Western Region, we cannot live in places where our chicken cannot enter. How will our chicken get to the 12th floor of an affordable housing unit?" he wondered.

Undeterred, the Head of State dismissed Sifuna's arguments as absurd and lacking in good judgement saying, "So you are telling us not to build affordable houses because your chicken cannot get to the 12th floor? I have said it before, there are people without brains. How do you even say something like that?" 

Unfazed by the President's harsh rebuke, Sifuna took to X to deliver a sharp retort, referencing his community's well-known background as poultry keepers and Nyandarua Senator John Methu’s famous association with potato farming. 

"Arguing with me about chicken matters is like arguing with Methu about potatoes," Sifuna shot back.