Edwin Sifuna Breaks Silence After Raila Odinga’s Burial, Sends Message to Supporters

• Nairobi Senator and ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna has spoken publicly for the first time since the burial of leader Raila Odinga
• In an emotional message, Sifuna thanked Kenyans for their prayers during what he described as one of the most painful moments in the party’s history
• This comes amid looming dispute in ODM, with two factions having different stances on supporting President William Ruto’s government

TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has broken his silence, a day after the emotional burial of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga.

Sifuna expressed his gratitude to Kenyans and supporters who stood with him and the ODM family through their grief.

Taking to his X account on Tuesday, October 21, Sifuna shared a heartfelt message thanking those who reached out with comforting words and prayers after Raila’s death.

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Sifuna thanks his supporters for solidarity following Raila’s death

The senator noted that the outpouring of love and solidarity had been deeply moving and had helped ease the pain of losing a leader he worked closely with for years.

“To all of you who sent me messages of prayers and encouragement, thank you so much. I’m just getting round to reading and responding. Kindly accept my sincerest appreciation, even if I don’t respond to all of them. God bless,” Sifuna wrote.

Although brief, Sifuna’s message carried a strong emotional tone, reflecting the weight of the moment and the sense of loss felt across the ODM fraternity.

Raila was buried on Sunday, October 19, at his Kang’o Ka Jaramogi family home in Bondo, Siaya county.

The event brought together thousands of mourners, including international dignitaries, to bid farewell to the longtime opposition chief.

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Since then, tributes have continued to pour in, as Kenyans reflect on Raila’s decades of political service and the void his death has left in the country’s leadership landscape.

During the burial of Raila, Sifuna made a strong declaration about the party’s future. He reminded supporters of Raila’s mentorship and final instructions, urging members to remain united and loyal to the ideals the late opposition chief stood for.

Sifuna further dismissed suggestions that ODM should embrace the broad-based government, saying Raila had directed the party to stay focused on preparing for the 2027 General Election.

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His firm position created visible tension within the party’s leadership, as some members had already expressed willingness to work with President William Ruto’s administration.

The senator, however, maintained that the movement founded by Raila must stay true to its original values and identity.

Governor Gladys Wanga and Raila’s sister, Rose Odinga, openly disagreed with Sifuna’s position, insisting that the former prime minister had endorsed cooperation with the government before his death.

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The difference in opinion highlighted the growing division within ODM, with some leaders openly calling for Sifuna’s removal while others rallied behind him.

Source: TUKO.co.ke