Fresh divisions have emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after its youth wing leader, Kasmuel McOure, threatened party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna with removal from office over alleged disrespect directed at Dr Oburu Odinga.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, December 24, McOure accused Sifuna of undermining ODM leadership after failing to acknowledge Oburu during a recent political event in the Mulembe region.
McOure claimed that Sifuna's omission was deliberate and amounted to disrespect toward the party leadership and the direction chosen by ODM supporters.
As such, McOure warned that the party would no longer tolerate persistent insubordination from the Secretary General.
“Mr Edwin Sifuna, you must decide whether he wants to remain the Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement or pursue other interests,” McOure said, adding that the party’s patience was wearing thin.
He went on to dismiss Sifuna’s recent engagements with Luhya leaders as a failed attempt at political reinvention, accusing him of using social media platforms to advance personal ambitions.
Additionally, he further alleged that Sifuna’s conduct was influenced by forces outside ODM, claiming the Secretary General was acting as a proxy to undermine senior party figures, including Oburu Odinga.
"We have seen your intentions, and we will ask you to either change your ways, or in the next National Delegates Convention, we, ODM members, will take you out of that position," McOure warned.
Not finished with his rebuke, McOure reminded Sifuna that his position was not the result of a popular vote but an appointment made by ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
He argued that the appointment did not place Sifuna above other party members, noting that many ODM leaders had been mentored and elevated by Raila Odinga.
Furthermore, the activist also accused Sifuna of frequently criticising the broad-based government in a manner intended to weaken ODM’s internal cohesion and negotiating position.
He claimed that Sifuna rarely mobilised support in his own political base, instead addressing audiences in Luo Nyanza led by the same Luo leaders he publicly criticised in Mulembe nation.
Sifuna on Tuesday issued a warning to sections of the party, insisting it has not settled on whether to support President William Ruto's re-election or not.
"As members of ODM, we've said that the decision the party will take towards 2027 will not be made by a select group of leaders at the top, but we will go to the ground and ask Kenyans what they want us to do," he warned.
