Veteran investigative journalist John-Allan Namu has weighed in on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s recent Citizen TV interview, arguing that beyond the political intrigue, the discussion raised deeper questions about values and leadership in Kenya.
In a social media post following the interview conducted by Citizen TV’s Yvonne Okwara, Namu said the most consequential aspect of Sifuna’s remarks was his emphasis on values, not party positions or power struggles.
He noted that while Sifuna addressed several critical political issues, his reflections on values stood out as the most urgent for the country’s future.
Namu argued that societies are shaped by the values they uphold, warning that material success or political power does not automatically translate into ethical leadership.
Drawing a global parallel, he cited scandals such as the Epstein files to illustrate how wealth and influence can coexist with moral failure.
In his view, Kenya risks celebrating hollow achievements if success is not anchored in shared ethical standards.
The comments came against the backdrop of Sifuna’s wide-ranging interview, in which the ODM Secretary-General questioned the financing of party rallies, criticised internal party processes, and expressed scepticism about the progress of the bipartisan reform agenda.
Sifuna also addressed the broader political climate, including questions around governance, accountability and the direction of the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
However, Namu shifted the focus from party politics to the broader culture shaping Kenyan public life.
He warned that without a clear commitment to values, dangerous norms risk becoming acceptable.
According to Namu, brutality can be justified if it targets political opponents, electoral malpractice can be excused as cleverness if it delivers victory, and dishonesty can be normalised if it secures power.
He cautioned that such thinking erodes democratic foundations and distorts how citizens judge leadership and success.
In that context, Namu said Sifuna’s framing of values was not just a political statement but a societal challenge that Kenyans must confront collectively.
The journalist concluded by calling for a deliberate choice on the path the country takes, arguing that leadership reflects the values tolerated by society.
His remarks have resonated widely online, adding a moral dimension to an interview that had already stirred debate within ODM and across the political divide.