Sifuna vs Oburu Odinga

Sifuna vs Oburu Odinga

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is standing firm in his belief that he remains the duly elected Secretary General (SG) of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), even after being removed from the position on Wednesday. Speaking to the media on Thursday, just hours after his ousting, Sifuna declared that the move is illegal and insists he is still the rightful SG. He suggested that his removal is linked to President William Ruto’s discussions about re-election.

Sifuna also pointed fingers at a handful of individuals, whom he claims are “answering to instructions from elsewhere,” and are determined to create division within the party.

He expressed that this ousting feels like a witch hunt for not backing President Ruto’s leadership, emphasizing that there is no legal basis for his removal from a role he has held for over nine years.

“My only crime is that I have refused and opposed any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto’s re-election because I have held the firm position that this country cannot afford another five years of divisive, incompetent and disastrous misadventures,” he noted.

Sifuna holds that the ouster is a “coordinated war” against him, and he will not bow to pressures from people threatened by his presence in ODM leadership.

“I remain a loyal member and the duly elected Secretary General of the ODM party. I remain committed to the struggle of a fair, just and democratic Kenya,” he said.

The Nairobi Senator has pushed back against claims that he hasn’t been following party resolutions, insisting that he has never been called in for questioning by ODM’s legal team.

“At no time have I been informed of any allegations against me, be they of indiscipline, insubordination or incompetence in executing my duties. Neither have I been invited to respond to any complaints in and out of the party on any matter that would constitute grounds for removal of a Secretary General,” he said.

“I don’t think it is correct for anyone to say that Sifuna does not have a right to have a personal opinion…You people know me, you have seen me at work.”

He also took a shot at ODM party leader Oburu Odinga, claiming that his rise to power was illegitimate and that it showcases the kind of mischief that’s being tolerated within the party. This, he argues, is undermining the foundational values set by its late founder, Raila Odinga.

“Those who now purport to run the party are aware that the new party leader was installed unconstitutionally. These shortcuts reflect the bad manners that progressive institutions and individuals pick up soon as they get cosy with [President] William Ruto,” he noted.

“I leave it to the party members to judge if this really is the path that Raila Odinga had set for us. Just 4 months after his death, we can agree that Raila must be turning in his grave.”

The firebrand noted that he is pursuing a legal action against the matter.

“That matter is before the court; let those who have made those accusations come and explain to us how I confused the party with my own opinions,” he added.

In the meantime, Sifuna is taking legal steps against the Council of Governors (CoG). He’s accusing them, along with four Senators, of trying to intimidate and extort Governors who are appearing before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).

“Those Governors that are making those allegations, we will meet them in court because it is defamatory to say I have extorted you,” Sifuna said.

He called on his supporters to keep backing him, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding and promoting Raila Odinga’s values to protect the party.

Following the leadership changes, ODM assigned Sifuna’s contested role to Deputy Secretary General and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, who will step in as acting leader until a permanent office holder is chosen.

Sifuna vs Oburu Odinga