Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin
Sifuna/FILE
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin
Sifuna has downplayed internal divisions within the party, saying that he will
not be the person to preside over the collapse of the political outfit.
Speaking on Wednesday, Sifuna said he had listened to the
counsel offered by Mama Ida Odinga and reiterated a pledge he previously made at
the burial of the late opposition icon, Raila Odinga.
“I have listened to every word that you have said, and as I
said at Mzee (Raila Odinga’s) burial, it will not be Sifuna to wreck ODM
party,” Sifuna said. “I made that promise to Mzee, and I want to repeat it
here.”
Addressing criticism he has faced from within ODM, the
Nairobi senator insisted that personal attacks would not deter him from
engaging with colleagues for the sake of party unity.
“The advice that you’ve given, Mama, I want to tell you
there is no one in ODM. It doesn’t matter how many times, how badly you’ve
insulted me, there is none in ODM I will not sit down with,” he said.
Sifuna emphasized that reconciliation remains possible
despite past disagreements, saying he was ready to heed calls for dialogue and
bridge-building.
He acknowledged Mama Ida’s appeal for party leaders to
engage one another and resolve their differences through conversation rather
than public confrontation.
“You have asked us to sit and talk. I am very prepared. It
doesn’t matter what has happened between us,” he said.
In a gesture aimed at easing tensions, Sifuna said he was
extending an olive branch to party members with whom relations have been
strained, noting the symbolic role Mama Ida continues to play within ODM and
the broader Odinga family.
“As mama has said, I’m going to extend that olive branch,
because mama, sahii wewe ndiye uko,” he said, mixing English and Kiswahili to
underscore his point. “It is water under the bridge.”
The ODM Secretary General’s remarks come at a time when the
party is grappling with questions about internal cohesion, discipline and its
political future.
There have been simmering tensions within the party, with
rival factions trading accusations over leadership style, loyalty and the
party’s direction following recent political realignments.
Earlier, Mama Ida had called on the leadership of ODM to
embrace dialogue as the only way to solve challenges facing the party.
Ida said that in the time when the party is undergoing
political turmoil, Raila would have called for dialogue to ensure existing
issues are addressed amicably.
“Raila run ODM on the principle of constant
consultation and always referring to the people. It is my wish that we can
preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to our country,”
she said.
“I appeal to those Baba left in the leadership of the
party to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and for our
country.”
“Let us support the problems of the party by always
asking ourselves, what would Baba do under these circumstances? I guess your
guess is as good as mine. I’m sure Baba would tell us, let us sit down and
talk.”
The wrangles have rocked the party barely three months
after the passing of ODM leader Raila.