ODM leaders Edwin Sifuna and James Orengo have criticized some members of their party for being out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Kenyans, especially after aligning with President William Ruto.
The two leaders spoke strongly at the funeral of former Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) chairperson Roseline Odede, accusing some ODM members of being sycophants and failing to challenge the government over ongoing injustices.
Sifuna, the ODM Secretary-General, pointed out that despite the party gaining more influence and access to power, it is crucial for its leaders to remain true to their responsibility towards the Kenyan people.
He emphasized that if something is wrong, it should be called out, regardless of political alliances. “We must stop being sycophants.
If something is wrong, it is wrong. I will not stand by as some ODM leaders enjoy the benefits of being close to Ruto’s government while silencing efforts to hold the government accountable,” Sifuna said, clearly upset.
Sifuna also reminded ODM members of their founding principles, as instructed by party leader Raila Odinga. When Raila ran for the African Union Chairmanship, he had entrusted Sifuna with the task of ensuring that ODM retains its identity as a party that stands for the people.
Sifuna made it clear that, whether or not Raila succeeded in his bid, he was committed to this responsibility.
However, Sifuna revealed that some within the party were actively working against him in his attempts to keep the party’s values intact.
Sifuna pointed out how some ODM leaders were urging him to remain silent about certain issues, like the government’s treatment of abductions or the actions of political figures such as Rueben Kiborek, who had made statements supporting Ruto’s government.
“They are telling me to keep quiet on injustices, saying it could hurt Raila’s chances at the AUC. But I can’t stay silent,” Sifuna stressed.
He also called attention to the delayed funding for public schools, which had still not been released weeks after the schools reopened.
Sifuna pledged to continue pushing the government for accountability, no matter the political pressures.
Orengo, Siaya’s Governor, echoed Sifuna’s sentiments, warning against excessive sycophancy within ODM. He stressed the importance of maintaining the party’s core values, even if it means sacrificing short-term gains.
“ODM has an identity, and if we lose that, we will pay the price in the future. It’s okay to make compromises, but they must be on matters of principle. Too much sycophancy clouds our judgment and leads us away from what really matters,” Orengo affirmed.
The comments from both leaders reflect a growing divide within ODM. While Raila Odinga and President Ruto’s partnership has led some ODM members to join Ruto’s government, it has left others torn between loyalty to their party’s values and political pragmatism.
The split has created confusion for many members, unsure of which side to support as the party navigates the shifting political landscape.
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