Cracks Deepen Within ODM Party Over Allegiances and Future.
The ODM party is facing increasing internal strife, with tensions rising over accusations against Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. A faction within the party has accused Sifuna of being an implant by the impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Makadara MP George Aladwa has alleged that Sifuna’s opposition to the broad-based government and his close ties with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka indicate disloyalty to ODM. These claims have surfaced despite the party leadership previously defending Sifuna and reaffirming that he represents ODM’s official stance.
Amid the party’s 20th-anniversary preparations, some UDA members have intensified their calls for ODM to dissolve as a sign of commitment to the broad-based government.
Since the political handshake between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, Sifuna has maintained a hardline stance, consistently criticizing the Kenya Kwanza government.
This has irked some ODM members who have shifted their allegiance to Ruto, with accusations surfacing that Sifuna might be secretly working for the impeached Deputy President Gachagua.
Despite these internal conflicts, ODM leadership has stood by Sifuna, emphasizing that he was recruited for his professional expertise and has performed excellently in his role.
The party insists that as Secretary General, Sifuna remains the official spokesperson of ODM.
During a recent delegates’ meeting in Kakamega, discussions about the party’s unity and direction were at the forefront, highlighting the importance of maintaining internal cohesion.
Political Shifts and Regional Influence
For two decades, ODM has been a dominant political force in Western Kenya. However, just before the AU Chairperson elections, President William Ruto made strategic visits to the region, an effort widely perceived as an attempt to woo voters and undermine Odinga’s influence.
With Jubilee having already dissolved, some UDA leaders have begun pushing for ODM to follow suit, arguing that merging into the government would demonstrate genuine support and unity.
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As ODM prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in Busia, the event is expected to provide a platform for the party to outline its future direction following Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful AU bid.
Party members and facilitators have been urged to align with the government rather than merely opposing it. The anniversary celebrations will be a pivotal moment for ODM to reassess its role in the current political landscape and reaffirm its strategic goals moving forward.
Cracks Deepen Within ODM Party Over Allegiances and Future
