Nairobi Senator and ODM secretary general Edwin SifunaNairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna political star appears to be
rising steadily, leading to speculation he may be destined for a bigger role in
the country’s political dispensation.
Within the United Opposition, Sifuna is seen as a potential
compromise candidate for running mate position as an alternative to Trans Nzoia
Governor George Natembeya, who has announced that he will be defending his
gubernatorial seat.
Sifuna, who is the de facto leader of the Kenya Moja
Alliance and also the secretary general of the Orange Democratic Movement, has
been hitting the headlines for many weeks now.
There was a push to have him fired from his secretary
general role in ODM and also de-whipped from parliamentary leadership, a move
that was nipped in the bud following the intervention of key figures, including
Ida Odinga.
Migori Senator Eddie Oketch wrote a letter on Monday
petitioning ODM to start the process of removing Sifuna for allegedly
undermining the party’s role in the broad-based government.
A day later, he withdrew the petition, saying that after
soul-searching and advice, he had agreed to the move to give way for talks in
ODM to solve the internal wrangles.
Between late last month and the first weekend of this month,
Sifuna opened a Pandora’s box when he claimed that top party officials, led by
National Assembly minority leader Junet Mohamed, ‘ate’ money meant for the late
Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign.
This is after Junet and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga
accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of trying to buy ODM using Sifuna and
his allies.
Speaking during the burial of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo
on December 30, Sifuna ‘apologised’ to Uhuru, who was at the funeral, on behalf
of ‘washenzi’ (fools) in ODM who were dragging his name to party wrangles yet
they ‘ate’ all the monies Uhuru gave for Raila’s failed bid.
In a rejoinder, Junet denied the claims, saying the kitty
meant for agents was controlled from a private office in Westlands manned by
Uhuru’s younger brother Muhoho Kenyata and his aide Peter Mburu.
The public exchanges continued into New Year, with Sifuna
daring those who want him out to bring it on.
Speaking at the burial of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s
mother Alice Gakuya on January 3, he said he will not let anyone dictate who
his friends or enemies should be.
Sifuna said Nairobi being a cosmopolitan constituency, he
has to reach out to all communities, unlike some of his adversaries who come
from a homogenous constituency, before declaring his allegiance to the ‘Wantam’
movement.
“Nawaambia kama ODM SG kuwa maeneo yote yaliyomuunga Raila
mkono yamechoka na Kasongo (I’m telling you as the ODM secretary general that
all areas that supported Raila are tired of Kasongo (Ruto).”
His tough stand against Ruto’s presidency appear to be
endearing him to the country’s opposition, with suggestions that he may be
considered for a more senior role.
“He can be Kalonzo’s running mate since Natembeya still
wants to remain in Trans Nzoia,” a source in the opposition said, adding that
there are plans to elevate him to the principals’ table.
The source cited DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua’s speech during
that burial and also previous statements that point to Sifuna’s rise within the
ranks of the opposition.
Gachagua said the opposition is in no rush to announce its
flagbearer, even though Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had previously
indicated that the candidate would be revealed early this year.
“If we do it now, we might exclude people like our brother
Edwin Sifuna. Even Mzee Oburu Oginga has expressed interest in running. We need
to hear from everyone,” he said.
“As the opposition, we are ready to back any person agreed
upon by the coalition. Whether it’s Kalonzo, Fred Matiang’i, Sifuna or George
Natembeya, we will align.”
Sifuna, 43, is seen as a youthful and charismatic leader who
can excite the young voters and mobilise the populous Western Kenya voting
bloc.
The region, though not known to vote as a bloc, accounts for
the country’s second biggest vote basket after the Mt Kenya region.
Political analyst Herman Manyora sees Sifuna as a potential
game changer for the opposition.
“It is possible for Sifuna to be the automatic running mate
for the opposition because he will be bringing in a chunk of ODM, the real big
chunk,” he says.
“If Kalonzo becomes the opposition’s flag bearer, the
running mate automatically has to be a Luhya. There is Wamalwa, there is
Natembeya and there is Sifuna, and any time you combine this, Sifuna is bad
news.”
Sifuna’s Senate colleague from Nandi, Samson Cherargei,
however, thinks the ODM secretary general is facing an imminent fall
politically.
“Sifuna is being fattened for a big slaughter politically in
the fullness of time,” he said.
“He is a newbie in politics; he will never know what
happened when he is politically minced meat.”
The Nairobi Senator leads the amorphous Kenya Moja Alliance
that includes MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East, ODM), Caleb Amisi (Sabaoti, ODM),
Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti, Wiper) and Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South, ODM).
Others are Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri, UDA), Clive
Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba, ODM), Jack Omboka (Bumula, DAP-K), Majimbo Kalasinga
(Kabuchai, Ford Kenya) and Ojiambo Oundo (Funyula, ODM).
Recent opinion polls indicated that the Kenya Moja Alliance
has 17 per cent support, being a potential third force, behind the United
Opposition’s 22 per cent and the ruling UDA’s 32 per cent.
On Wednesday, Sifuna appeared to be conciliatory after
meeting Raila’s widow at Karen in Nairobi, saying Ida had reached out to him as
a mother would.
“Mama called me today and she told me, ‘Sifuna, you look
like somebody who needs a hug.’ I am eternally grateful that I have come to
your home and I have gotten that hug. It is going to renew my spirit and my
strength.”
The ODM spokesperson then declared he will not be the one to
break the party. His meeting with Ida came shortly after he had met party
leader Oburu Oginga earlier.
In a statement, Oburu said Sifuna remains “a sober and
principled voice, embodying the democratic ideals we believe in as a party”.
“As a leader, I believe we must encourage everyone to
speak their mind,” he said.
“Differences of opinion do not mean division. Great parties,
like ODM, grow through robust debate and unique challenges. That is where the
progress and continuity of our party truly lie: in the hands of our young
people.”