Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Friday openly challenged the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership, insisting that any move to remove him as Secretary General must strictly follow the party’s constitution.
His remarks came during a separate National Delegates Conference (NDC) organized by his faction, Linda Mwananchi, at Ufangamano House, diverging from the official ODM gathering held the same day.
Speaking to a packed hall of supporters, Sifuna underscored that his tenure as ODM Secretary General is not permanent and welcomed a constitutional process for leadership change.
“Sifuna was not born to be the Secretary General of ODM forever. Nimesema na nataka nirudie, sio lazima Sifuna awe katibu mkuu wa chama cha ODM. Ndani ya chama kuna vijana wengi ambao wanaweza kufanya hii kazi,” he said.
The senator emphasized that any attempt to replace him must follow established party procedures.
“Lakini ukitaka kureplace Sifuna fuata katiba ya chama; itisha NDC ambayo kila mtu anaenda kwa debe, walete candidate wao alafu akutane na mimi,” he added, signaling his readiness to engage in a transparent contest rather than succumb to arbitrary maneuvers.
Sifuna’s statement comes amid growing tensions within ODM, as he has emerged as a vocal critic of the Broad-Based Government agenda that the party has been supporting.
Through Linda Mwananchi, he has positioned himself and his faction as staunch opponents of President William Ruto’s administration, often clashing with the party’s official line.
Addressing concerns about internal corruption and factional influence, Sifuna accused certain party members of compromising the party’s integrity.
“Sisi kama Linda Mwananchi tutakuwa na line up yetu, tutapatane na hao wakora ambao wamechukua pesa kuuza chama cha Raila Amollo Odinga, tuone ni nani atashinda,” he said, referencing alleged misuse of funds within the party’s structures.
The senator’s remarks signal a deliberate move to assert Linda Mwananchi as a parallel power within ODM, raising questions about the future cohesion of the party.