National chairperson Gladys Wanga and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa /ODM PARTY/X
ODM interim officials on Sunday addressed concerns raised by members from the party’s Western region during a meeting in Kakamega.
The discussions highlighted growing discontent among some members over perceived internal divisions and public disagreements involving party leaders.
Speaker after speaker expressed strong disapproval of the manner some leaders within the party are publicly attacking the party’s Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
MPs largely from the Mulembe nation said it is unfair to attack Sifuna for articulating the party’s position.
Sifuna has faced attacks from a section of ODM politicians.
He has been vocal in criticizing the government, taking a tough stance on abductions.
His position has clashed with some politicians who support the government, sparking a war of words.
“We the Luhyas are in the party by rights, sometimes we feel bad. Some people have audacity to use social media to insult Secretary General Edwin Sifuna,” Oundo said.
ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi demanded the Nairobi senator must be respected and in case of any issue then they should be addressed through proper party channels.
“Sifuna is one of the most brilliant and visionary leader of the party. Let him be respected,” Osotsi said.
“We don’t want a situation where junior members of the party attack party officials.”
Kisii Governor Simba Arati while defending the ODM SG explained Sifuna’s position is the position of the party.
“Sifuna is our SG and he must be respected,” added Arati who is also the party’s Deputy Party Leader.
The leaders speaking during party leaders meeting in Kakamega, the leaders demanded that the top party officials give them direction on how to relate with the government of the day.
The meeting was meant to initiate preparations for the party’s twentieth-anniversary celebrations later this year.
Present at the meeting were acting party leader Anyang’ Nyong’o, national chairperson Gladys Wanga, Deputy Party Leaders Simba Arati (Kisii) and Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga).
Sifuna was absent from the Kakamega meeting as he was on official senate duties in Tanzania.
Responding to the concerns, Governor Wanga clarified the party is distinct and will do everything to win power.
“As ODM we are distinct. We are going to strengthen our party because our main goal is to win power,” Wanga said.
The Homabay governor however said the Central Management Committee of the party agreed that they will not be publicly fighting the former party officials who are now serving as Cabinet Secretaries in President William Ruto’s administration.
“We will not be in the forefront in fighting our officials who we donated to the broad-based government, that we agreed,” Wanga said.
“As a big party we cannot join a small party,” added Arati. Osotsi said the party will field candidates in all the seats including the presidential candidate. “If there will be any deal, ODM will be the principal party,” Osotsi said.