MP Exposes Edwin Sifuna, Simba Arati for Sabotaging ODM Party

Former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho was flanked by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna during a past press briefing. Joho was nominated into the Ministry of Mining.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna (left), and Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho (middle) during a press briefing at Chungwa House on May 14, 2024.
Photo
Ali Hassan Joho

Gem Member of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo named two party officials who he claimed were responsible for internal wrangles being experienced in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party.

Speaking outside Parliament on Tuesday, the MP claimed that the Party's Deputy Leader Simba Arati and its Secretary General Edwin Sifuna were "orchestrating disorder that threatens to derail ODM’s future."

He accused Sifuna of not properly using his position to unite the party but instead sowing seeds to the public that the ODM party was divided in its values.

Further, he claimed that the Nairobi Senator had abandoned the party ideals and instead settled for political theatrics characterised by arrogance.

Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo Speaking During Past Political Function
Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo Speaking During Past Political Function
Twitter

“Instead of offering strategic leadership, Sifuna has become the face of ODM’s internal decay, embracing political theatrics over constructive engagement,” MP Odhiambo said.

He therefore urged the Secretary General to give up his seat or rise above power struggles to fulfil his mandate as a party official.

As for the Kisii Governor, Odhiambo relayed that Arati's leadership style was distasteful as he sidelined other party officials and ruled over the members in a confrontational style that fostered chaos instead of uniting the party.

“Arati’s confrontational style—where he publicly disrespects party leadership and seeks to impose his will through sheer force—is a recipe for ODM’s collapse,” he stated.

This infighting, the MP said, could derail the party's chances of working as a united front in the 2027 general elections to clinch electoral seats.

“At a time when ODM should be consolidating its influence and preparing its machinery for 2027, these two leaders have opted for internal sabotage, factionalism, and reckless brinkmanship, all in pursuit of selfish political gains,” he opined.

“ODM’s future depends on discipline, unity, and strategic leadership. If the party is to remain a formidable force in Kenya’s political landscape, it must rein in the reckless ambitions of individuals like Sifuna and Arati before their anarchy renders ODM ungovernable."

For months now, the party's top officials have been presenting differing stances on the government with the Secretary-General being among the ones whose opinion over the Kenya Kwanza Government has not wavered.

The wrangles began when the former party leader Raila Odinga joined hands with President William Ruto and four of the party's heavyweights were appointed into the broad-based cabinet last year, compromising the party's mandate as the opposition.

President William Ruto (right) welcomes Azimio La Umoja party leader, Raila Odinga, at Mukami Kimathi funeral in Nyandarua on Saturday, May 13, 2023
President William Ruto (right) welcomes Azimio La Umoja party leader, Raila Odinga, at Mukami Kimathi's funeral in Nyandarua on Saturday, May 13, 2023
PCS
  • .