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We followed due procedure in firing Sifuna, Gladys Wanga defends ODM
ODM Party National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga in Lamu Old Town.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who also doubles as the ODM national chairperson, has defended the party over the decision to kick out Edwin Sifuna as the secretary-general.
Addressing ODM supporters during the Linda Ground political rally at the Mkunguni Square in Lamu Old Town on Thursday, Ms Wanga stressed that the party followed due procedure in arriving at the decision to chase Sifuna.
Ms Wanga stressed that ODM is a big political party in the country since it has its own institutions and structures, which include the Central Committee, National Executive Committee (NEC), National Electoral Body (NEB), National Governing Council (NGC), the National Delegates Convention (NDC), among others.
She dismissed claims that NEC was illegal and made illegal decisions, including its recent move to remove Sifuna from the ODM secretary-general position.
“I have heard people talking that NEC was illegal and made illegal decisions. ODM party NEC is fully constituted of 40 members. The NEC we had yesterday had 34 out of the 40 members attending and present. And we had two apologies. This clearly shows that the NEC is properly constituted and can take any decision in line with the constitution of the party,” said Ms Wanga.
She reiterated that once a party makes a decision, a leader of the party cannot go against the decisions that the party has taken.
“Leaders with positions in ODM must respect those issues decided by the party. Yes, I can speak my mind because ODM is a democratic party but I can’t go against decisions of party organs as a senior official of the party,” said Ms Wanga.
She went further to call for a unity of purpose, especially for those who want ODM to forge ahead. “We want the whole party, ODM, to move together forward. But indiscipline cannot be mistaken for democracy,” she said.
Ms Wanga told off critics claiming the ODM Party was bought by President William Ruto, saying they have no truth or basis for their claims. He clarified that they did not enter into the broad-based government they are in today by themselves.
‘Broad-based government was initiated by ‘Baba’ Raila Amollo Odinga and all of us were taken in. We were very harsh critics of President William Ruto and his leadership. We were at the frontline during maandamano. We were beaten properly during those protests. We were at the frontline with Baba Raila Amollo Odinga. But Baba sat us down and told us that because of our country Kenya, we enter the broad-based government,” said Ms Wanga.
She added, ‘But today, there are people claiming we, Dr Oburu Odinga, Junet Mohamed, Mishi Mboko, Abdulswamad Nassis and I, have been bought. Does it mean Baba, who brought us to the broad-based government, was the one who was bought first? That’s disrespect and abuse of the highest order and we can’t allow it to proceed. We’re where Babaleft us and shall continue supporting President William Samoei Ruto.”
Minority Leader in the National Assembly (ODM), Junet Mohamed accused retired President Uhuru Kenyatta for all the woes befalling the party.
Mr Mohamed asked Uhuru to keep off, insisting that they cannot follow someone who is retired and out of date.
“We know the culprit in this whole agenda. The former president Uhuru Kenyatta thinks by dividing ODM and scattering some few individuals, we will look back and support his political alignment like we did in 2022. We’re in the broad-based government to stay. We’re focused on building a united Kenya as a nation with President William Ruto,” said Mr Mohamed.
"Wrecking the party"
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who also serves as the ODM Deputy Party Leader, said that they are better placed in the broad-based government that knows the challenges the Coast people have been facing year in year out, compared to past regimes.
Mr Nassir says his happiness is seeing Baba’s party remaining as one, united and moving in the same direction within the broad-based government.
He criticised Sifuna saying he, together with a few other accomplices, had prior arrangements to divide OMD before leaving it. He accused them of forming their own alliance with the intention of dividing the Orange party before leaving for Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP outfit.
As good student of Raila Odinga, he says he sees no issue supporting President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
“During Raila’s times, he formed Azimio, Cord, the Nasa Coalition with other parties and not alone. As Baba’s good students, what’s the problem if we enter the 2027 General Election while talking to other parties? We’re not tribal on our side like them. We view everyone as having the ability to lead Kenya,” said Mr Nassir.
On her side, the current ODM Secretary-General Catherine Omanyo thanked the party for trusting in her, promising to respect all the party principles and ensure Raila’s legacy stays.
Likoni MP Mishi Mboko also took the opportunity to drum up support for Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho for the Presidency come 2032 General Election.
“It’s only through supporting the broad-based government under the stewardship of President William Ruto and Dr Oburu Odinga that we, the Coast people will have a chance to present our own Ali Hassan Joho for Presidency in 2032 after supporting Ruto for two terms in 2027. We want to have a share of the cake,” said Ms Mboko.
Kilifi Woman Rep Getrude Mbeyu said they are supporting the broad-based government with expectations that local youth in places like Lamu will be given first priority on matters of employment at the Lamu Port and its subsequent infrastructure (Lapsset).
Other leaders present during the Lamu Linda Ground tour included Busia Governor Paul Ontuoma, Dagoretti North MP, Beatrice Elachi, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, Mvita MP Machele Mahmoud Soud, and others.
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