ODM Party leader Raila Odinga has strongly defended the party's Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, against recent criticism he received over his remarks about the ODM-Kenya Kwanza Memorandum of Understanding.
Speaking in Kakamega during the ODM delegates’ conference, Raila stated that there was nothing wrong with what Sifuna said, as it was his democratic right to express his opinion, as stipulated by the party.
According to Raila, Sifuna has a right to express his opinions, whether they are different from what other leaders think or not.
“Everybody has a right to speak their mind. That is democracy, and that is what ODM stands for; there will be differences of opinion, and that is okay. If Sifuna has spoken, he has a right to do so, and if you differ with him, then speak out,'' Raila said.
“I have not said that you should not speak of certain issues in the party. If you have an issue, speak up, even if you think I have made a mistake, tell me,'' the former Prime Minister continued.
The former Prime Minister went further to defend Sifuna from other leaders criticising him, challenging them to share their opinions instead of attacking the Nairobi Senator.
Appearing in an interview on Citizen TV, Sifuna elicited a heated debate after he confessed that ODM was confused about the agreement they had with Kenya Kwanza, and that, as it stands, the agreement was not being followed. Sifuna also declared the agreement expired.
Sifuna’s remarks hinted at deeper tensions brewing within ODM’s senior leadership. Raila, however, reminded party members of the proper channels to resolve disagreements and warned them against airing internal matters on public platforms.
“We must uphold democracy in ODM. As members of the party, we have many internal organs. If Sifuna speaks, I shouldn’t go out and criticise him in the newspapers,'' Raila said.
“We will wait until we meet in the Central Committee or the National Executive Committee. Everyone will speak, and then we will give Sifuna direction on what to tell the press. He is the official spokesperson of ODM,” Raila stated.
Meanwhile, the party leader has condemned cases of ethnicity in the party, reiterating that ODM is a national party and doesn't belong to any community.
Raila has revealed that the party will convene a meeting once they have deliberated and reached a consensus internally, and it becomes the binding party position.
