Sifuna Hits Back at Makau Mutua Over Calls to Resign as ODM Secretary-General

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Wednesday, August 20, strongly responded to Professor Makau Mutua after the legal scholar publicly suggested that he should resign from his role as the Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The heated exchange began on social media when Makau Mutua, a close ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga, claimed that Sifuna’s position in the party had become “untenable.” Mutua argued that the most principled thing for Sifuna to do was to step down.

“My good learned friend and Senator Edwin Sifuna appears to be in an UNTENABLE position as SG of ODM Party. It seems to me that the honorable thing for him to do, if he is truly a man of principle, is to resign his post. Unfortunately, in Kenya, people rarely do so unless they are forced out,” Mutua wrote.

Sifuna’s Scathing Response

Sifuna, however, dismissed Mutua’s remarks with sharp words, accusing him of hypocrisy and questioning his own recent appointment by President William Ruto.

“You have the unenviable task of determining the value of the lives of the young people your new friends killed and compensating their families,” Sifuna fired back, directly referring to Mutua’s fresh role in government.

The Senator went on to add: “One would imagine that crown to be so heavy that it leaves no time for anything else, let alone worrying about the SG of ODM — who, in any case, isn’t even your friend.”

Sifuna was alluding to the fact that President Ruto had appointed Mutua as the principal coordinator of a new state framework that will handle the compensation of victims of protests and riots. According to the government’s announcement, the framework is expected to run for 120 days from the date of its launch.

Sifuna’s Standing in ODM Under Scrutiny

The back-and-forth between the two has once again brought Sifuna’s position in ODM into the spotlight. In recent weeks, the Senator has found himself on the receiving end of criticism from both allies and opponents of the party after making statements that appeared to challenge the party’s leadership and direction.

Speculation about his loyalty and future within ODM grew louder after he openly questioned some of the decisions made by party leader Raila Odinga. His confrontational approach has sparked discomfort among party loyalists who expect senior officials to remain disciplined and united, especially during politically sensitive times.

Just a day before his exchange with Mutua, Sifuna had publicly taken on governors during a press briefing, accusing them of misleading Raila Odinga on issues related to devolution.

“It is not the governors who have been misadvised. It is the governors themselves who are misadvising our national leaders. They are the ones who have misled my party leader,” Sifuna said during the briefing at the devolution conference.

Internal ODM Tensions

Sifuna’s boldness has exposed growing cracks inside ODM, where internal disagreements and rival camps have been simmering beneath the surface.

His absence from a joint parliamentary group meeting further fueled speculation about whether he still enjoys the full confidence of his colleagues.

Despite calls for restraint and loyalty within the party, Sifuna has shown little intention of softening his tone. His public statements continue to position him as one of ODM’s most outspoken leaders — a quality that has earned him both admiration for his fearlessness and criticism for appearing rebellious.

The clash with Mutua now adds another layer to ODM’s internal struggles, highlighting the challenges the party faces as it tries to maintain unity while navigating Kenya’s shifting political landscape.

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