- ODM leader Oburu Odinga has publicly reprimanded Secretary General Edwin Sifuna for allegedly questioning his leadership
- Oburu accused Sifuna of mixing his personal views with party policy and insisted that all officials are legally authorized
- The dispute reflects a deep divide over ODM’s political direction amid talks of a coalition with the ruling UDA party.
Siaya Senator and party leader Oburu Odinga has publicly reprimanded the Secretary General Edwin Sifuna about recent allegations during an interview with Citizen TV.
Source: UGC
In a strongly worded letter on Friday, February 6, Oburu accused Sifuna of causing confusion among party members by blurring the distinction between personal views and official ODM policy.
The senator described the general secretary’s claims about his leadership as contradictory and emphasized that no one is at the top of the party.
Has Sifuna diluted personal views and ODM policy?
“In recent months, the general secretary has repeatedly endeavored to distinguish between his personal views and the party’s official policy as determined by our constitutionally mandated bodies,” Oburu said.
“Understandably, this has caused confusion among members and supporters. ODM’s policy is not based on individual preferences; it is the result of organized discussions through well-formed party bodies,” the letter added.
The ODM leader responded to Sifuna’s claim that some party officials are holding positions illegally, stressing that they all serve legally and are supported by the party’s resolutions.
Oburu also said that Sifuna previously served as general secretary without any apparent opposition from the party.
How was Sifuna elected as ODM Secretary General?
According to Oburu, the secretary-general was elected by the National Governing Council (NGC) in February 2018 and held his duties fully until February 2022, when the National Delegates Conference (NDC) later endorsed him.
He suggested that Sifuna’s recent questioning of the legitimacy of the party’s leadership was inconsistent with his past experience.
“When Sifuna questioned the legitimacy of some national officers on the basis that they were elected by the NGC, he ignored the basic truth: he himself was elected secretary-general by the same body in February 2018 and performed the duties of that office fully and effectively until February 2022 when the NDC endorsed him. One cannot voluntarily annul the processes that gained legitimacy,” Oburu said.
Despite the heated public exchange, Oburu did not specify whether any disciplinary action would be taken against Sifuna.
The party seems to be more divided between members who support Sifuna’s view that ODM should demand an independent political course, and those who advocate an alliance or understanding with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) before the 2027 General Election.
Source: Facebook
Will Sifuna resign from ODM?
However, Sifuna has maintained that he will not resign from his post, claiming that his membership in ODM is still intact.
Speaking during a TV interview, he said the only way he could be removed as general secretary would be through a delegation meeting, which he believes is necessary to give a clear direction to the party amid ongoing internal disputes.
The dispute became more serious when his sister Oburu, the Kisumu Women’s Representative, Ruth Odingawhen he commented.
He defended Sifuna, saying that his actions should not be seen as rebellion, and in line with the political strategy of the late Raila Odinga.
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