- EdwinSifuna remembers the anger against government officials who were in charge of the convoy to take Raila Odinga’s body from India
- He criticized the exclusion of the ODM party during the funeral arrangements and the absence of party symbols
- The senator questioned the legitimacy of the appointment of Oburu Oginga as the interim leader of the party
Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Senator Edwin Sifuna has revealed the challenges and disappointments he faced following the death of former party leader Raila Odinga.
Source: Facebook
Speaking in an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, February 3, Sifuna said he was part of the team sent to India to bring back Raila’s body after he died while receiving treatment.
However, he expressed his anger at the group of supporters, which he said were dominated by government officials, leaving few of Raila’s close friends on the plane.
“I was very angry. I kept asking myself, who will these people take the old man?” Sifuna said.
The Nairobi senator described the situation after Raila’s body arrived in Kenya as violent, including the viewing of the program at the Stadium Kasarani.
Was ODM isolated during Raila’s funeral arrangements?
He questioned why the late leader was given a highly organized convoy, including military and police escorts outside.
“For me, it should have been like a swearing-in ceremony or being celebrated around the stadium, things that he has never experienced in his life,” he said.
Sifuna also expressed his frustration at how ODM was reportedly left out during the funeral arrangements.
He noted that party colors and symbols were not present during the national funeral ceremony at Nyayo Stadium before Raila’s funeral.
According to Sifuna, Raila often placed the coffins of ODM members on the party flag, but was denied the same honor at his own funeral.
“I was very angry that they completely ignored the colors of his party. They did not even mention his political party. Me and Mzee used to place the coffins of party members on the ODM flag, but they refused to do the same to him,” he said.
Why did Sifuna wear ordinary clothes during Raila’s funeral?
He added that senior members of the party were reportedly told they would not be allowed to speak during the funeral there Bondo.
Sifuna explained his outfit of choice, a plain t-shirt and an orange cap, at the grounds of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Some had misinterpreted it as an insult.
“They told us that we wouldn’t even speak in Bondo, that’s why I dressed like that. I had no idea that I would address the mourners,” he said.
Source: Facebook
Regarding the current ODM leadership, Sifuna criticized the hasty installation of Oburu Oginga as the party’s interim leader shortly after Raila’s death.
Did the appointment of Oburu as ODM leader follow the party’s constitution?
He said the process did not follow the party’s constitution.
“When I left Nairobi for Mumbai, our agenda was only to call a meeting of senior leaders to inform our supporters directly. To my surprise, Oburu had already been appointed as the interim leader,” Sifuna said.
He explained that Article 17 of the ODM constitution states that deputy leaders of the party should work in shifts until the National Delegates Conference (NDC) is convened to elect a leader.
“We had three deputy leaders of the party. They should have agreed on shifts until the party officially elects a new leader through the NDC,” he said.
He stressed that following constitutional procedures is necessary to legitimize Oburu’s leadership.
Will Sifuna be expelled from ODM?
During the same interview, Sifuna said he remains strong in ODM despite reports that his position as general secretary may be at risk.
He emphasized that party membership is not dependent on holding office and said he has no plans to leave ODM.
Sifuna noted that internal disagreements, including those related to the 2027 elections and recent leadership changes, have not shaken his loyalty to the party.
He emphasized that even if his relationship with some senior leaders has weakened, his commitment to ODM has not changed.
He added that he would accept the result if the NDC was called and lost the post of general secretary. According to him, ODM has capable young leaders who can step in, saying there is no position in the party that is owned by one permanent person.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
