Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is under intense political fire this week, with indications that his tenure as both Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General and Deputy Minority Whip in the Senate could come to an abrupt end.
Nandi Hills Senator Samson Cherargei claimed that Sifuna’s shifting political alliances and controversial voting record have made him untrustworthy within party ranks.
Cherargei’s announcement signals a major shake-up in ODM’s leadership, potentially reshaping the party’s strategy ahead of the next election cycle and leaving Sifuna facing mounting pressure from both colleagues and grassroots supporters.
Nandi Senator Cherargei Says Defiant Sifuna Will Lose Leadership Roles
Nandi Hills Senator Samson Cherargei has publicly announced plans to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his dual roles within ODM and the Senate. Speaking on his official X account on Monday, January 5, Cherargei argued that Sifuna’s attachments to opposition politics have rendered him unsuitable for leadership positions.
Cherargei singled out Sifuna’s vote in favor of impeaching the former Deputy President and his subsequent shift in political alignment, describing the senator as an “architect of deceit, hypocrisy, and deceptive politics.” According to Cherargei, these actions have undermined trust in Sifuna’s loyalty to the party, giving ODM reason to consider a leadership reshuffle this week.
Edwin Sifuna Faces Senate Dewhip Threat
Cherargei also revealed that the Senate intends to remove Sifuna from his position as Deputy Minority Whip. This move would strip Sifuna of significant parliamentary influence, limiting his ability to steer debate or control voting dynamics within ODM ranks.
“The Senate will remove him from Deputy Minority Whip, and he will be free to join saboteurs of the Broad-Based government,” Cherargei said. While these claims have yet to be confirmed by ODM or Senate leadership, they underline the growing friction between party stalwarts and Sifuna’s increasingly independent approach.
Party Loyalists Criticize Sifuna’s Leadership
Inside ODM, Sifuna has faced scrutiny over his political maneuvers, with critics questioning his commitment to the party’s long-term interests. ODM youth league leader Kasmuel McOure described Sifuna as unfit for the Secretary General role, asserting that his exit would not significantly impact the party.
“The outgoing Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement, Mr. Edwin Sifuna, must be reminded that it is he who needs the Orange Democratic Movement and not the other way around,” McOure said. Party loyalists argue that Sifuna should focus on representing Nairobi constituents rather than engaging in internal party conflicts, which have threatened to weaken ODM’s cohesion.
Sifuna Fires Back Against Party Criticism
Sifuna has not remained silent amid these attacks. Speaking in Murang’a on Saturday, January 3, he accused senior ODM figures, including Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, of exploiting support from former President Uhuru Kenyatta during the 2022 General Elections while leaving the party exposed on the ground.
“You Junet, when did Uhuru’s money start becoming bad? When you were eating the same, you did not even bring a penny to the party,” Sifuna said. He argued that party mismanagement, not his leadership, contributed to ODM’s struggles in the last elections.
Junet promptly responded, denying Sifuna’s accusations and claiming that he had not misused election funds. He insisted that former President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed election monies through his family and demanded accountability from Sifuna regarding the deployment and payment of election agents.
The escalating clash highlights deeper divisions within ODM, with the party now confronting the difficult task of reconciling internal disputes while preparing for future elections. The moves against Defiant Sifuna could mark a turning point, signaling stricter enforcement of loyalty standards and potentially reshaping the party’s leadership hierarchy.
With ODM yet to officially respond to Cherargei’s claims, the political drama surrounding Sifuna underscores the complex interplay of personal ambition, party loyalty, and national politics. Analysts say the outcome will have significant implications for both Nairobi politics and ODM’s strategic positioning against rival parties in the next election cycle.
As events unfold, Sifuna’s fate remains uncertain, leaving party members and constituents alike watching closely to see whether his defiance will lead to political exile or a strategic recalibration within ODM’s ranks.
