Outspoken ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna has held talks with a powerful delegation from the party, just hours after he vowed to give a listening ear to everybody who has been baying for his blood in the recent past.
In a brief statement, Sifuna revealed that he had met Siaya Governor James Orengo, Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga, MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East), John Namoit (Turkana South) Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Senators Catherine Mumma and Crystal Asige, Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok, ex Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, ex-Busia Senator Amos Wako, Edwin Ngonga and John Andiwo.
“Sit. Talk. Tumeanza,” Sifuna said in a three word message.
After the meeting, Babu Owino, who has equally come under sharp attack for his hardline stance, said it was time to take over the leadership of the Orange party.
“We want ODM to call for NDC, It’s time to take over the Party Leadership.
Baada ya Baba ni Babu,” he said.
Elsewhere, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed was seen meeting party leader Dr Oburu Oginga at the party offices.
“Minority Leader in the National Assembly Junet Mohammed today morning called on the Party Leader Dr Oburu at his office in Nairobi. They deliberated on matters relating to the party, its growth as well as the state of politics in the country,” a statement by the party said.
Sifuna and Junet have gone for each others’ jugular in public with both attacking the other with what they term as exposes.
These two high profile meetings come hot on the heels of a bubbling feud within the party, threatening its cohesion just three months after the death of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga.
The dispute between the two has spilled far beyond whispered corridors and social media commentary into public forums and heated verbal exchanges raising concerns about the future of the largest party in the country.
The major flashpoint erupted when Sifuna publicly accused Junet of mishandling funds that were intended to pay ODM campaign agents during the 2022 general election.
Speaking at a public event attended by impeached deputy party leader Rigathi Gachagua, Sifuna claimed that large portions of campaign money donated by then President Uhuru Kenyatta, were misappropriated and never used to recruit or remunerate grassroots agents crucial to electoral success.
In his direct and emotionally charged remarks, Sifuna asked rhetorically: “On what day did Uhuru’s money become bad?”, accusing Junet of benefiting personally from campaign funds while the party’s machinery failed.
Junet has not shied away from the confrontation and has vehemently denied the allegations, contending that the funds were channeled outside normal party structures.
He moved to blame Uhuru and his brother whom he accused of curtailing Raila’s bid for the presidency.
A section of ODM Members of Parliament has called for calm, urging both Sifuna and Junet to desist from airing grievances in public and return to meaningful internal dialogue.
They warned that the spectacle of “self-cannibalisation” could weaken the party’s electoral appeal and open the door to violence or defections ahead of next year’s polls.
Several senior legislators have petitioned party leader Oburu to step in and mediate, highlighting that sustained conflict among visible leaders risks eroding confidence among supporters and could reverse the gains ODM has built over decades.
Leave a Reply