Raila Odinga Defends Edwin Sifuna after Attacks from ODM Members: "He's Right to Speak"
- Once again, ODM leader Raila Odinga has acknowledged Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna as the mouthpiece of the party by virtue of his secretary general post
- Raila came out to defend Sifuna after the latter was bashed by members of the party who deem him unfit to continue being the secretary general
- Sifuna had said that even with the party having entered into the pact with UDA, he did not approve of it in his individual capacity
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Kakamega: ODM leader Raila Odinga has come out in defence of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who has lately been under attack over his tough stance on the broad-based government.
Source: Twitter
Sifuna, who is also the senator for Nairobi, stirred up the hornet's nest after expressly observing that the ODM party had lost its identity owing to the working pact it entered with the UDA party earlier this year.
Why Sifuna irked ODM members
The sentiments sparked reactions from party members, a majority of whom concluded that he was dissenting from his boss, who is on record pledging support to the regime until 2027.
Sifuna explained that the party had caused its membership across the country a lot of confusion, as it seemed to have joined the government in advancing anti-people policies and atrocities against unarmed civilians.
This would irk many a member in ODM.
Those aggrieved by his pronouncements pushed for his ouster, arguing that he was an errant mole objecting to the cause sanctioned by the party leader.
How Raila defended Edwin Sifuna
However, speaking for the first time after the debacle, Raila acknowledged that Sifuna reserved the right to speak how he wants, citing the principles of democracy nurtured in the ODM party that allow differences of opinion.
"Democracy is important in ODM. It allows the right to be heard. There will be differences in opinion. We must protect the right of people to speak. If Sifuna has spoken, he has the right to speak. If anyone differs with him in opinion, they are free to also speak their mind. That is democracy. I have not barred anyone from speaking. Even when you see me doing wrong, speak it out," he said.
Suggesting that Sifuna's sentiments are not the position of the party, Raila said each member is free to speak to the critical issues the way they see it.
He said ODM was not formed to be an echo chamber; he asked those with opinions different from Sifuna's to air them like he did.
Source: Twitter
The party's position would be established once the leadership convenes officially to deliberate on those matters.
He, however, acknowledged Sifuna as the authoritative spokesperson of the party.
"We as a party have party organs that are mandated to speak. If Sifuna speaks, I cannot answer him through the media. I will wait for him in the national executive and central committee meetings. We will meet there, and everyone will speak their opinions, and then we will decide the position, and then Sifuna can communicate it to the public. He is the party's mouthpiece," Raila said.
"ODM is a democratic party, and therefore it must tolerate divergent views. But when we have talked and there is consensus, then that is the position of the party," he said.
Raila spoke in Kakamega on Friday, July 25, while attending a delegates' meeting organised by Governor Fernandes Barasa.
When will Edwin Sifuna resign from ODM's SG post?
Raila's remarks came amid Sifuna's hint at leaving his secretary general post that he has held for over eight years.
He said he did not intend to quit but would do so in some definite circumstances.
Sifuna declared that should the ODM party decide to support Ruto's reelection in 2027, then he would find it untenable to continue holding the role.
He would also leave should the leadership of the party ratify his exit.
In the meantime, the outspoken lawmaker said he would continue discharging his duties the best way he knows how.
He reiterated his support and loyalty to Raila, whom he described as his "father and political mentor".
Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino are among the leaders supporting Sifuna against the simmering onslaught orchestrated by a section of party members.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
