The outspoken Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has come out guns blazing, targeting his tormentors in an emotional birthday message to former party leader Raila Odinga.

In the message, Sifuna said that as one of Raila’s students, he will stand firm and urged others like him not to waver but stand firm and be principled.

He said they should not fear to express their democratic rights as they are protected by the Constitution.

“We do not have the luxury of rest, nor do we possess any fear in pursuit of Raila’s ideals. Raila Odinga was consistent in standing with the oppressed, speaking truth to power and in placing country before self, even when the personal cost was unbearably high,” he said.

Sifuna’s remarks come amidst a sustained campaign to kick him out of the party following his firm stand against the Broad-Based Government agreement signed between President William Ruto and the late Raila.

Even before Raila’s death, Sifuna had made his decision not to support the deal, insisting ODM was not in government.

His critics include former party members who are now serving as Cabinet Secretaries, who were billed as ‘experts’ and donated to help Ruto steer the economy.

They are Ali Hassan Joho (Mining), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) and John Mbadi (National Treasury).

The four have been vocal in attacking Sifuna and calling on the party to kick him out.

Others on Sifuna’s neck include Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Narok Senator Ledama Olekina and his Migori counterpart Eddy Oketch.

Also on the bandwagon include Gladys Wanga, the ODM chairperson and a host of politicians, mostly from the Nyanza counties.

However, Sifuna has got backing from sharp-shooting Governor James Orengo (Siaya) and his Kisumu counterpart Anyang’ Nyong’o.

In his message, Sifuna fingered those against his stand and told Raila that his ideals are being curtailed.

“As we reflect, we also take stock of these past two months, a period in which the ideals and principles by which Raila lived and conducted his politics have been violated by an emerging culture of impunity, intolerance, dictatorship and a conspiracy of silence in the face of threats to multiparty democracy,” he said.

He said that Raila’s death had “created a platform for regression and shrinking of this space he envisaged, and more than ever, the country misses the wisdom and foresight of Baba, whose navigation of this space was supreme and unmatched.”

“Despite this, it behoves all of us he mentored and nurtured, to stand firm on principle and to lead a new political renaissance that seeks to align with the preamble of our constitution, which affirms the sovereignty of the people, celebrates our diversity and commits to rights, equality, democracy, social justice and the rule of law,” he noted.