Video: Kakamega ODM Official Heckled In Front of Raila for Attacking Edwin Sifuna
- Former prime minister Raila Odinga graced an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) event in Lurambi, Kakamega county
- However, the peaceful event turned into a chaotic one when one of the ODM party's officials took the stage
- All was well until the official began criticising ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna in front of Raila Odinga
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Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
A dramatic scene was witnessed in Kakamega after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chair in Lurambi, Habib Rashid Anyolo, was booed in Raila Odinga's presence.
Source: Facebook
Speaking on Friday, July 25, Anyolo lauded Raila for working with President William Ruto to form the broad-based government.
Did Anyolo praise Raila Odinga?
He further requested the former prime minister to give the people of Kakamega slots in the government.
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"We are supporting you, Baba. We are saying that you are a man of wisdom who sees far. You saw the country was about to go up in flames, but you were able to get things under control. Add the people of Kakamega to the broad-based government. Kakamega is big and it is the stronghold of the ODM party," Anyolo said.
Things appeared to be peaceful until Anyolo began condemning the ODM secretary general, Edwin Sifuna.
He called out Sifuna for being against the broad-based government, asking him to leave the party if he is dissatisfied.
"Is the secretary's stance an individual's stance or that of the entire party. Let him tell us today. If he is not satisfied with Baba, why can't he just leave the party? We are saying that there are people who are betraying us within the party," he added.
Did crowd heckle at Anyolo?
The crowd went silent for a while before beginning to express their disagreement with Anyolo's remarks.
The more Anyolo kept talking, the louder the jeers grew, and the crowd became even more hostile.
Despite this, Anyolo was determined to pass his message across, calling out all disloyal ODM members.
However, the crowd wanted to hear none of his remarks as they heckled even louder. This prompted the master of the ceremony to intervene, signalling to Anyolo to cut short his speech.
"Haya, thank you, thank you. Chairman, three minutes are now over. I would like to ask you to wind up," the MC was heard saying.
One man tried to tap him, probably in a bid to make him change his topic, to no avail. Another man approached the chairman and took the microphone from him as he finalised.
What did Sifuna tell his critics?
Despite a barrage of criticism directed at him, the ODM secretary general stood his ground and dared his critics to kick him out if they had no faith in his leadership.
Sifuna said ODM for social justice, and its members and leaders should speak against all forms of injustice in the country.
He challenged his critics to explain how criticising the government for allowing corruption, abduction, rampant insecurity, and unemployment rates to rise tremendously was against the party's principles and ideals.
He retaliated that he would continue speaking on behalf of party members who have faith in him and who feel the pain of bad governance.
The ODM secretary general told the gathering that he would only resign from his position if Raila asks him to do so.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula supported the Nairobi senator, saying he was doing his job as the official spokesperson of the party.
He vowed to mobilise ODM supporters from Kakamega and the entire Western region to exit the party if Sifuna is kicked out as the secretary general.
Raila defends Sifuna from attacks
At the same event, Raila defended Sifuna from verbal attacks that were launched at him by other party members.
Source: Facebook
The ODM party leader acknowledged that Sifuna has the right to express himself, mentioning the spirit of democracy nurtured in the ODM party.
ODM members who expressed disappointment with Sifuna's comments pushed for his removal from office, arguing that he is one of the members who are betraying the party.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this article with details on what Edwin Sifuna told his critics in Kakamega.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
