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Which way Sifuna? ODM rift widens as party organ signals start of negotiations with Ruto's UDA
ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga with deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir and Simba Arati, chairperson Gladys Wanga and others at the top leadership meeting held at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County, on January 12, 2025.
The ODM Central Management Committee has given party leader Senator Oburu Oginga the go-ahead to officially start negotiations with President William Ruto's UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election.
This was announced by Mr Oginga on Monday following a crisis meeting at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi. In attendance were party officials including deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir and Simba Arati, and chairperson Gladys Wanga. Notably absent was Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who is the party's Secretary-General, and his Vihiga counterpart Geoffrey Osotsi, a co-deputy party leader.
ODM leader Oburu Odinga with with the party's Central Management Committee at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County, on January 12, 2025.
However, Mr Oginga said Mr Sifuna and Mr Osotsi had sent their apologies and were cleared by the party to skip the event. They explained to the party leadership that they had other engagements both in the country and abroad, hence they could not attend in person.
“We have no differences with members of the party, what is going on is that our members have been expressing themselves. Our party has allowed them to do so but we will continue to strengthen the party and ensure we remain united,” said Dr Oginga.
Additionally, the Central Committee also resolved to continue reviewing the implementation of the 10-Point Agenda, especially the unresolved matter of compensation for victims of public protests. Of concern is the recent court order which put on hold the work of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests after declaring it unlawful.
“The Committee has proposed that any compensation monies be channeled through constitutionally and legally recognised institutions, specifically the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR),” said Mr Oginga.
MPs tell Sifuna to leave
But even as he projected a united front in Kilifi, in Nairobi, 35 ODM legislators held a meeting and, thereafter, came out to support the resolution to start talks with UDA and condemn Mr Sifuna.
The group asked the Nairobi Senator to quit and join the United Opposition instead of sabotaging the party. They also accused him of being behind Minority Leader Junet Mohamed's recent political struggles.
"We have noted attacks sponsored against our Minority Leader Junet Mohamed. These attacks are led by (Senator Edwin) Sifuna. We want to urge Junet not to fear...we are behind him," Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi said.
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