- ODM members in Kakamega county are divided over a decision by the party’s top organ to kick out Edwin Sifuna as the secretary general
- While Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa has supported the NEC decision, a section of MCAs are against it
- The MCAs announced their next course of action as they rallied youthful members behind Sifuna, whom they said was the future of the Orange Party
Kakamega: The recent ouster of Edwin Sifuna as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general continues to elicit mixed reactions across the country.
Source: Original
In Kakamega county, one of the ODM strongholds, party members are divided over the decision.
While Governor Fernandes Barasa, who is the county ODM chairperson, has welcomed the decision, a section of MCAs insists Sifuna remains their secretary general.
In a media briefing at the county headquarters in Kakamega Town on Thursday, February 12, Barasa said the party made the right decision by kicking Sifuna out of the influential position.
“The ODM delegates in Kakamega affirm their support for the NEC resolution and reiterate their commitment to party unity, discipline and institutional integrity,” the governor said.
“As a party, we need to operate within the structures of the party, and as ODM Kakamega county we are in support of the decision made to remove Sifuna. We need to have discipline within the party,” he added.
The county boss further assured that ODM members in the county are in full support of the party leader, Oburu Oginga.
“Tuko imara na tutalinda ground ya ODM (We are strong, and we will protect ODM here in Kakamega),” Barasa noted.
Are Kakamega ODM MCAs allied to Edwin Sifuna?
The governor’s statement, however, angered a section of ODM MCAs in the county.
Led by Lumakanda’s Bernard Mulama and Lilian Osiema (nominated), the ward representatives said it was wrong for Barasa to side with top party officials whom they accused of unfairly targeting Sifuna.
According to the MCAs, ODM’s future depends on the youthful leaders and that the decision to kick out Sifuna was an attempt to silence their voices.
“We are disappointed by what NEC did to our own; We want to tell those Luhya leaders who are celebrating that they have betrayed our region,” Mulama said.
The MCAs further claimed President William Ruto had a hand in the decision made by NEC and asked him to keep off the Orange party affairs.
Source: Original
They vowed to continue supporting Sifuna, who has already challenged his removal from office. The court has since issued orders to stop the gazettement of the NEC resolution.
“As Kakamega ODM MCAs, we won’t be silenced in this county. We are still young, and our leader is Edwin Sifuna,” Osiema posed.
In addition, the ward reps threatened to mobilise ODM members to hold a peaceful demonstration in support of Sifuna.
They also called on the youth across the county to stand in solidarity with the Nairobi senator.
“We need to unite as a community because it is clear that our leaders in ODM are being targeted,” the nominated MCA said.
Is Ruto behind ODM problems?
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that Siaya governor James Orengo had blamed President William Ruto for the current leadership wrangles ODM is facing.
According to Orengo, Ruto was behind the NEC decision to kick out Sifuna.
He said the move was a direct interference in the internal affairs of the Orange party, which he is courting for a 2027 pre-election deal.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
