Osotsi Discusses Alleged Meeting Between Oburu and Ruto at State House Before Sifuna Is Dismissed

• ODM deputy leader Godfrey Osotsi claimed there was a meeting at the State House between Oburu Oginga and President William Ruto.
• He claimed that the NEC’s decision to remove Edwin Sifuna followed consultations outside the agreed party structures.
• Osotsi is now calling on members to resist what he calls an attempt to seize power, as rival factions prepare for a new political mobilization.

The tension within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has increased one day after Edwin Sifuna removed from the post of secretary general.

Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi claimed that ODM Leader Oburu Oginga together with senior party officials held a meeting with the President William Ruto in the Palace shortly before the removal of Sifuna.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, February 12, the Vihiga senator claimed that the party was now being influenced from outside its traditional leadership structures.

He described the alleged incidents as an attempt to take over the party.

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Details of Wanga’s call to Osotsi before the ODM NDC

Osotsi said that on Friday, February 6, he received a call from the governor of Homa Bay Gladys Wangawho is also the national chairman of ODM.

According to him, Wanga later handed over the phone to Oburu, who requested a meeting to discuss party matters. They agreed to meet on Monday, February 16.

He said he asked to attend the meeting with Sifuna, saying that it was important for the party’s senior leadership to discuss emerging issues together. It is said that Oburu attended the meeting with Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed.

“The meeting was held at the home of Mr. Timothy Bosire. We also had our sponsor, Amos Wako,” Osotsi said.

During the discussion, Osotsi explained, the leaders suggested that the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for Mombasa be postponed to give a chance to build an agreement.

They also agreed that a mediation team consisting of trustees and senior leaders, including Wako, Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Siaya governor James Orengo and Bosire, would continue efforts to address internal conflicts.

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Did Oburu consult with Ruto the night before Sifuna was fired?

However, Osotsi claimed that despite the agreement, Oburu continued to convene the NEC meeting.

“I was surprised when Oburu told us that he needed to consult more. The consultation was not done with other important stakeholders in the party. Instead, they went to the State House that night to consult with Ruto. That is why the two of us did not attend the NEC meeting in Mombasa, because we were waiting for Oburu’s opinion on whether the meeting would go ahead,” he said.

Osotsi expressed his disappointment that the NEC went ahead and made what he called a big decision to remove Sifuna from the position of secretary general.

He urged ODM members to oppose what he called outside interference in the party.

“I want to ask the members of this party to stand firm and oppose Ruto’s efforts to take over this party. We will not allow him to do as he pleases. Many other leaders will join this party. We are asking our members, especially in our strongholds, to remain calm. Sifuna is not going anywhere. If Sifuna leaves, I will also leave,” Osotsi said.

He further accused a section of ODM leaders of working day and night to weaken the party from within.

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James Orengo blames Ruto for ODM’s problems, says Sifuna remains SG: “He runs meetings”

According to him, the leaders who support Sifuna plan to launch a series of consultative meetings, starting in Kitengela on Sunday before heading to the Western counties of Kenya on February 21.

He said the move is in line with the moral spirit of the founder of the party.

Did the court prevent Edwin Sifuna from being removed as SG of ODM?

In a related incident, Sifuna got a temporary reprieve after the Political Party Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) blocked efforts to remove him as ODM secretary general.

In its decision on Thursday, February 12, the court suspended the implementation of the NEC resolution of February 11 aimed at removing Sifuna from office.

It also prevented party officials from publishing the decision in the Kenya Gazette, an important step needed to formalize the leadership change.

The order maintains the status quo within the party until the dispute is heard and decided.

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