- Senator Oburu Oginga expresses his view on the position of ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna regarding the party and the integrated government agreement with the UDA
- He has dismissed the views of some former ODM leaders regarding the party’s position in an integrated government and explained why their views have no weight
- He has also indicated the future of the party towards the 2027 General Election despite their commitment to implement the ten-point agenda under an integrated government
Siaya Senator and Acting ODM Party Leader, Oburu Oginga, has defended the ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna amid growing tension within the party.
Source: Facebook
The Secretary General has been standing firm on the party’s foundations and opposed the agreement of an integrated government between ODM and UDA.
Sifuna, who is also a Nairobi Senator, has not supported the President William Ruto for re-election, despite the existence of a cooperation agreement between the two parties.
His position drew strong criticism from some ODM leaders who are pro-government, while some wanted him removed from the position.
What did Oburu say about Sifuna’s position within ODM?
Speaking during an interview with NTV Kenya on Sunday, November 2, Oburu emphasized that Sifuna’s comments reflect the official ODM position left by the late party leader, Raila Odinga.
He urged the members of the party to remain united and ignored the call to release Sifuna, saying this is not the time to exclude anyone.
“I have heard Governor Gladys Wanga say several times that ODM will be in the presidential vote, but there may be certain circumstances in which they have decided to support Ruto, and maybe it passed me by. What I am telling you is the official position of the party left by Raila. Sifuna is right to say what he says because that is the real position of the party. He cannot be excluded. In my opinion, Sifuna is doing a good job. This is not the time to exclude anyone; we need unity,” said Oburu.
Oburu also criticized ODM leaders serving in government, including the Minister John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi, saying they no longer represent the party’s interests.
He emphasized that their loyalty now lies with the government and asked them to resign from their positions in the government if they want to speak on behalf of ODM.
“Mbadi, Wandayi and other ODM leaders who joined the government are part of the administration. They do not speak on behalf of our party. The president is their boss. They are forced to resign from the government,” he said.
Will ODM produce a presidential candidate?
Speaking about the future of the party towards the 2027 General Election, Oburu hinted that ODM will field a presidential candidate and will continue to be active in national politics.
He said decisions about the alliance of parties, before or after the elections, will be discussed at the right time. At the moment, he said the party is based on the agreement of an integrated government with the UDA as well as the implementation of the ten-point agenda.
“We have a clear position. We are currently focusing on this integrated government agreement we have with the UDA. The issues we are dealing with are also on the ten-point agenda. We have not left it nor have we said anything,” he added
Will Oburu and Sifuna destroy the ODM party?
Meanwhile, through his Facebook page, Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai accused Sifuna and his team of using Oburu to destroy the party.
Source: UGC
He claimed that by 2027, ODM will be an empty shell. Alai’s statements sparked anger among party supporters, who reminded him of his earlier support for the party leadership.
Some supporters even encouraged him to officially leave ODM and join the UDA party, which he has often defended.
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