ODM Reveals Why it is Withholding Wetangula's Money

Edwin Sifuna
Edwin Sifuna during a past interview on November 12, 2019, at the Citizen TV studios.
CITIZEN TV

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General, Edwin Sifuna has disclosed why they are withholding Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula's party's cash.

Sifuna, while appearing on a morning TV show on Tuesday, October 19, stated that ODM was preventing an eruption of civil war in the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy – Kenya (FORD-Kenya).

The amount that ODM is holding onto is FORD-Kenya's Ksh36 million as the party experiences leadership battles, with one faction being led by Wetang’ula while the other by Kanduyi Member of parliament Wafula Wamunyinyi.

FORD-Kenya Party Leader Moses Wetangula during a press briefing at Hermosa Gardens in Karen on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
FORD-Kenya Party Leader Moses Wetangula during a press briefing at Hermosa Gardens in Karen on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
Kenyans.co.ke

“The only money we are holding are monies for FORD-Kenya , and it is because we don’t want to finance civil war. It is the truth, and we don’t want to give the faction money to go and disseminate the other,” Sifuna explained.

Earlier, Sifuna made it clear that they had remitted the amount claimed by Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper party three months ago.

He added that the decision was regarding the court process on the leadership tussles that have besieged the former National Super Alliance (NASA) partner.

“We (ODM) have said that we will respect the court process in respect of the Ford-Kenya  leadership angle, and that is the only money that we are keeping.”

When asked by whether the party was in agreement with the ODM decision, Sifuna claimed the money was actually theirs, and it was ex-gratia.

“It is our money, and this money is ex-gratia. I do not want to go into this,” Sifuna stated before being interjected. 

The battle between the two factions has rocked the party following the attempted ouster of Wetang'ula from the party leadership in June 2020 by the Wamunyinyi-led faction.

Wetangu'la had been accused of gross misconduct and not uniting the party.

However, the registrar of political parties, Ann Nderitu, revoked the gazette notice giving way for Wentagula’s return to the party.

Photo of Registrar of Political Parties Ms Ann Njeri Nderitu speaking during a meeting.
Undated Photo of Registrar of Political Parties Ms. Ann Njeri Nderitu speaking during a meeting.
Daily Nation