Ruto's Blunder Keeping Azimio Away From State Meetings - Sifuna

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

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna hit out at President William Ruto's protocol team, claiming that it was behind Azimio La Umoja politicians skipping state events. 

Speaking on KTN News on Tuesday, October 4 the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general stated that leaders allied to the faction led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have not been receiving invites to state events.

He further cited an example of a function held in the city on October 3, where select leaders were invited. 

"You can ask the presidential team whether I was invited when Ruto was touring the construction site in Mukuru. I certainly did not receive any invitation. The other leaders have confirmed the same," he stated.

President William Ruto inspects a housing project in Mukuru,Nairobi on Monday, October 3, 2022. (1).jpg
President William Ruto inspects a housing project in Mukuru, Nairobi on Monday, October 3, 2022, (left) and the stalled housing project in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum in Nairobi.
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PCS

The newly elected senator expressed that Azimio leaders cannot gate crash a state event even if they wanted. 

Nonetheless, he opined that it was not a must for them to attend the said functions. 

"They do not have to be there. Physical presence does not ensure that the concrete poured at the site dries. Are you telling me that the welder working on the site will not do their job because Sifuna is not there? If I am invited, I will go.

"I usually say that if you do not want to go to a wedding because you are hurt by the proceedings, why go and ruin the photos by looking gloomy? You can just stay at home," he stated.

Notably, Lang'ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor (Jalango) and Nairobi women representative, Esther Passaris, graced the Monday event.

Sifuna made the remarks after Azimio came under sharp criticism for allegedly disrespecting the head of state

This was after the Homabay governor, Gladys Wanga, and Homabay Town MP Peter Kaluma skipped Ruto's event in the county. 

The duo also blamed Ruto's team for poor communication while explaining their absence at the church event graced by the President. 

Homabay governor Gladys Wanga at an event on Wednesday August 31, 2022.
Homabay governor Gladys Wanga at an event on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
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