Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has urged Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to defend his political interests amid an emerging dispute over the proposed transformation of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition into the Ukombozi Alliance.
Kaluma, who described himself as Sifuna’s senior in law and politics, argued that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) remains the principal party within the Azimio coalition and questioned the legality of changing the coalition’s name without ODM’s participation.
“The ODM Party is the main party in the Azimio Coalition Party. The ODM Party was not a party to the resolution to change the name of the Azimio Coalition to Ukombozi Alliance,” Kaluma said.
He argued that any purported change undertaken without ODM’s involvement was invalid, using strong legal language to challenge the move.
“The purported change is thus null and void, ab initio,” he added.
Kaluma also revisited the history of ODM and the 2007 General Election, accusing Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka of taking control of ODM Kenya before the election and leaving Raila Odinga and his allies without a political party.
According to Kaluma, ODM was subsequently registered through former Imenti Central MP Mugambi Imanyara, providing Raila and his allies with a political vehicle ahead of the election.
Kaluma further accused Musyoka of abandoning Raila after the 2007 presidential election and joining President Mwai Kibaki’s government as Vice President.
“When Raila won in 2007, Kalonzo who got some insignificant votes joined Kibaki to steal our win in exchange for the position of Vice President,” Kaluma claimed, linking the political developments that followed the disputed election to the violence in which more than 1,500 Kenyans were killed.
Turning to Sifuna’s political future, Kaluma warned the senator against allowing Musyoka to take control of what he referred to as the “Ukombozi Party”.
“It’s high time Kalonzo is stopped. Don’t allow him to steal your Ukombozi Party in 2026,” he said.
Kaluma also alleged that Musyoka and former President Uhuru Kenyatta were seeking to influence Sifuna’s political trajectory ahead of the 2027 General Election. He claimed there was an arrangement to have Sifuna serve as Musyoka’s running mate, which he argued could damage the senator’s political future.
Kaluma further criticised Sifuna over his political dealings with Uhuru and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of abandoning Raila and his supporters.
Despite the criticism, Kaluma said he would continue defending Sifuna’s rights, urging him to take a more assertive position.
“Kenyans don’t like weak men who surrender their rights. Fight! Fight! Fight!” Kaluma said.