Kenyan politics has changed, leaving a very thin line between the government and the opposition.
But despite this, one man has remained unshaken – Edwin Sifuna – the firebrand Nairobi senator and ODM secretary general.
Known for his eloquence and mastery of the law, the first-time lawmaker speaks truth to power, sparing no one in his fiery tackles.
This has won him friends and foes.
Sifuna, who is also the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, sat down with the Star reporter Luke Awich and among other issues, stated ODM’s preparations for 2027 polls and why he is not backing down on his onslaught against Kenya Kwanza.
How has it been running the party without Raila?
Baba has largely been here – giving guidance – but the party has remained stable. I have absolute faith in the party’s leadership.
I know we cannot wear Raila’s shoes but if all of us put our feet in that shoe, we might reach halfway and get some traction.
So far so good. There is very minimal difference. Are we likely to see a permanent replacement for Raila if he clinches the AUC seat?
That is something I cannot speculate but we are sure he is going to win the seat.
Your party has been bogged by conflicting and confusing positions on how to relate with Ruto’s administration. Top guns, including national chairperson seem to be divided on whether to support Ruto in 2027 or not. What is happening?
What did Raila say in Homa Bay and in Vihiga during the homecoming of Senator Godfrey Osotsi? The former party leader is on the same page with Nyong’o and Sifuna.
There is no confusion anywhere.
The constitution stipulates that when it comes to matters of coalition, the person to give direction is the party leader.
Raila asked us to prepare the party for 2027 elections.
The interim party leader also said the same thing during the central committee’s meeting and the current chairperson was present.
We are competing with other political parties for power and we must refrain from drumming up support for our competitors.
So, a personal opinion cannot override the resolution of the party.
Still on the confusion, is there a direct instruction from the party leader on how ODM should engage with the government?
The central committee was given instructions in three-fold, first one is to retain the identity of the party, second, to remain true to our values and last one, to prepare the party for elections.
Unless and until Raila changes the instructions, we will remain true to them. He has demonstrated that if something is at odds with the values of the party, we should speak out.
For example, in Homa Bay, he told the President on his face that we cannot support abductions just because a few of our members were given Cabinet positions.
Is the party concerned with the double speak?
Those against the party are expressing their democratic rights. If you think there are positivities from Ruto’s presidency and you want to give him another term that is your right.
But I also have a right to say my party will be fielding a presidential candidate.
Some people are saying ODM is playing a multi-bet in Kenyan politics, one leg in government and the other in opposition?
Unfortunately, the media has refused to take the answer that ODM is not in government. If you want to insist on being confused, then we cannot help you.
What happens when you are overruled and a decision is made to support Ruto’s re-election?
I will be in that meeting so you cannot preempt a resolution of an organ of the party.
Let us cross that bridge when we get there. By the way, you are wrong to say we are a few.
I am the most visible because I am the SG.
There are some people saying your days are numbered. Are you scared given the history of ODM?
I am now the longest-serving secretary general of ODM.
I am beginning my eighth year next month.
Every single day, for the past seven years, I have heard similar sentiments and I am still here, when we were conducting by-elections in Kibra and Matungu they said Sifuna must go.
I was not scared then because that was not unusual and everybody has a right to express him or herself.
As I have told you we are in the middle of elections, if there are people interested in my seat, I am open to challenge.
But I am confident I will retain my seat.
Do you think Ruto will be re-elected in 2027?
I have told Kalonzo several times that his surest path to victory is ensuring Azimio stays together. Remember 2022 election was decided by 200,000 votes.
By many accounts Kenya Kwanza has lost many of its constituencies – some people say they have lost 50 per cent of the seats following Mt Kenya’s exit.
All we need to do is to retain our constituencies and we will win the election and that is my focus as ODM SG.
What is ODM’s level of preparedness towards the coming election?
Raila left us strict instructions to strengthen the party in preparation for 2027 election.
We have successfully conducted grassroots elections at the polling stations.
Some of the complaints that emerged were reviewed and only six appeals were merited.
The party then constituted a team, which included some members of the central committee to listen to the six appeals.
Once the cases are concluded, we will go to the next phase, which is elections at ward level.
We will then proceed to constituency polls and finally the county coordinating committee.
Once those structures are in place, we will be able to recruit and identify candidates to run a successful campaign in 2027.
Now to Nairobi politics, your critics are claiming your voice goes silent when it comes to pointing the ills of the governor?
The media should correct that impression because you have covered my interaction with the county government of Nairobi in the Senate.
I am the one who stopped the groundbreaking in Woodley during a session of the transport committee.
We have discussed Dishi na County, the urban regeneration programme, transport and the state of hospitals.
In Nairobi we have 85 MCAs, you will find somebody criticising Sifuna and yet he is also required by the constitution to check the governor.
Our constitution has set oversight at two levels.
Primary oversight is the work of MCAs. You will find an MCA who is very quick at drafting tweets and Facebook posts but he cannot draft an impeachment motion.
If you think the governor is so bad, Sifuna cannot impeach the governor until you bring him to the Senate.
Two years to elections, your game plan for 2027?
I am running for Senate, I am hoping that I will do a good job to get re-elected.
These people who want to give me other titles and positions should know Sifuna plans to run for re-election as the senator of Nairobi and I am hoping the people of Nairobi will see the work I have done and what I am going to do in the remaining period to oversight the county and national governments and to also bring legislation that is going to change their lives.
Nobody should give me a seat I have not asked for.
