Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna has disclosed one of his most difficult political moments involving late ODM leader Raila Odinga, shedding light on the intense pressure and internal dynamics within the ODM party ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Speaking about the incident, Sifuna recounted events leading up to Odinga’s much-anticipated presidential declaration.
At the time, political pressure was mounting, with supporters and the public demanding clarity on whether Odinga would enter the race.
Following a closed-door meeting, Sifuna approached Odinga to seek permission to inform the media that he had received ODM nomination papers.
According to Sifuna, Odinga agreed to the move, and several individuals present during the discussion witnessed the exchange.
However, by the following morning, the situation had escalated rapidly.
Media outlets widely reported that Odinga had officially declared his presidential bid, triggering intense public speculation.
The headlines gained momentum, but the developments did not sit well with the ODM leader.
Sifuna revealed that Odinga personally called him to express his displeasure.
“The call was harsh. He told me, ‘I did not tell you to do that,’” Sifuna said.
Caught off guard, Sifuna attempted to verify the earlier agreement by reaching out to others who had been present during the meeting.
In a surprising turn, all of them denied any knowledge of the conversation, effectively distancing themselves from the unfolding controversy.
Left to manage the situation alone, Sifuna faced mounting pressure as the story continued to dominate media coverage.
Later in the day, Odinga contacted him again, this time with a calmer tone and a proposed way forward.
“He told me the situation had already escalated and the only way to contain it was for me to take responsibility,” Sifuna recounted.
In an attempt to defuse the situation, Sifuna returned to the media and described the earlier statement as an April Fools’ Day joke.
However, the explanation failed to convince many, with journalists and commentators questioning the appropriateness of treating a presidential bid as a joke.
Despite the backlash, Sifuna maintained his position and absorbed the criticism, effectively taking responsibility for the incident.