Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has welcomed the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the secretary general of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), describing the decision as long overdue and necessary to restore discipline within the party.
Speaking on X, Kaluma questioned claims that Sifuna’s ouster would destabilize ODM, highlighting the senator’s record in recent elections.
He pointed out that Sifuna failed to deliver even Kariobangi Ward to the party in the last by-election, emphasizing that his performance did not reflect the expectations of party members.
“Do those saying so know that even Sifuna’s family didn’t vote for ODM despite our voting for him to be Senator?” Kaluma asked, underscoring the disconnect between the senator and both party structures and grassroots support.
Kaluma accused Sifuna of aligning with political opponents, suggesting that his loyalties had shifted away from ODM toward external interests.
“He left ODM for Gachagua long ago and just remained to wreck the party from within,” he stated, noting that the senator frequently contradicted agreed party positions despite having actively participated in them.
The legislator described Sifuna’s actions as a demonstration of indiscipline rather than the exercise of democracy, framing the removal as a corrective measure to protect the party’s cohesion.
The MP also called for Sifuna to vacate his Senate leadership roles and return all party and parliamentary assets.
“Sifuna must now leave the Senate Leadership seat and deliver the Party and Parliamentary vehicles and facilities,” Kaluma said, drawing parallels to similar actions taken by other political parties against leaders who failed to adhere to internal discipline.
Kaluma stressed that discipline and accountability are fundamental to the functioning of ODM.
He argued that internal democracy must be balanced with adherence to party principles, suggesting that Sifuna’s continued presence in leadership roles would have undermined both.
“Indiscipline is not democracy,” he wrote, highlighting that loyalty to party agreements and the collective interest must take precedence over personal ambitions or external political alliances.
The Homa Bay legislator’s comments come amid a broader reshuffle within ODM, which saw Catherine Omanyo appointed as acting secretary general following Sifuna’s dismissal.