- Nairobi Senator and Secretary General of ODM, Edwin Sifuna, has indicated that he is ready to embrace negotiations to end conflicts within the party, responding to Mama Ida Odinga’s call for unity
- The conflict stems from a division over whether ODM should partner with President William Ruto towards his re-election bid in 2027, something Sifuna strongly opposes.
- Sifuna has vowed not to be the source of ODM’s disintegration, promising to extend an olive branch and maintain the party’s fundamental principles of consultation and justice.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna He has said that he is ready to relax his position and give room for negotiations in an effort to end the conflicts that are shaking the ODM party.
Source: Twitter
The politician, who is also the General Secretary of ODM, in recent days has been arguing with a group of ODM officials who want him removed from his post and even expelled from the party.
The source of the tension is the issue of broad-based government and the possibility of ODM collaborating with the President William Ruto when he seeks re-election in 2027.
Sifuna opposes the idea of ODM supporting Ruto, and has vowed to oppose any such plan.
On the other hand, the opposition group is highlighting the possibility of supporting Ruto, giving all indications that it will support his re-election in 2027.
The tension between the group led by Sifuna and the one leaning on Ruto’s side has escalated to the point where they have no words in public, while the second group accuses the Nairobi senator of allegedly wanting to disrupt ODM from within.
Speaking to Karen during the late birthday celebration Raila Odinga after his death, Sifuna said he is ready to meet his colleagues within the party and resolve their differences for the benefit of the party.
The statement was made following Mother’s call Ida Odinga for ODM officials to embrace dialogue to resolve issues fueling internal conflicts.
He said he will not be part of any efforts to break up the party.
“As I said during Raila’s funeral, I will not be the one to break Mzee’s party. I made that promise and I want to repeat it here. There is no one in ODM that I will not sit down with. I am completely ready; no matter what has happened between us. As Mama Ida said, I will extend an olive branch. It does not matter what you have said about Sifuna, or what bad feelings you have about me. I am ready to sit down and resolve our issues,” he said.
Sifuna noted that although public conflicts are not appropriate, sometimes they are unavoidable due to human characteristics.
However, he said he is ready to follow Ida’s advice in dealing with the party’s sensitive issues calmly.
The senator said the party will continue to move forward without problems if the members adhere to the principles of the party and the purpose that led to its establishment.
“Sometimes things arise because we are also human. But Mama Ida has now guided us. I remember Father used to consult with everyone, even those who seemed to be socially inferior… We should continue to consult, be firm but fair, and remember the foundations on which this party was built. That has always been our vision, and if we follow that, we will have no reason to worry.” he added.
What Ida Odinga wanted in ODM
Sifuna’s statements came after Ida’s advice to the party leadership faced controversy.
He called on ODM members to embrace unity, stressing that dialogue is the most appropriate way in times of conflict.
Ida reminded the party that Raila had firmly established dialogue as a means of resolving disputes and guided ODM through turbulent times through constant consultation and inclusion.
Looking at Raila’s deep relationship with the party, he warned that weakening ODM would tarnish his legacy, and urged leaders to reflect on his vision by facing challenges with a willingness to sit down and talk through differences.
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