Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has distanced the party from remarks made by a section of its legislators endorsing DP William Ruto's bid for Presidency in 2022.
After a number of Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Coast region endorsed Ruto over the weekend, Sifuna clarified that the party was not interested in 2022 succession politics.
"We are focused on electoral justice, which is a subject of the proposed dialogue between H. E Raila (Odinga) and Uhuru (Kenyatta) and further on getting justice for the victims of police brutality following the 2017 elections,” he told The Nation.
Sifuna further stated that the party's official position on the matter was “we will not discuss 2022 politics”.
He made it clear that the MPs who endorsed Ruto during his tour of the Coast were voicing their personal opinions.
[caption caption="Edwin Sifuna"]
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Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja, and MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), Jones Mlolwa (Voi), Ali Mbogo (Kisauni) and Danson Mwashako (Wundanyi) on Sunday stated that they would back DP Ruto in the next Presidential election.
Following a fundraiser at St Barnabas Anglican Church in Voi, the leaders stated that DP Ruto was best fit to serve the country after President Kenyatta.
"You cannot stop an idea whose time has come. In 2022 there is no other candidate for Presidency other than the Deputy President," declared Ms Jumwa.
Jumwa also warned NASA co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula against opposing the talks between Raila and President Kenyatta.
"If at all they were united then there is no need of them intimidating us against uniting with the government," she stated.
[caption caption="Aisha Jumwa"]
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