Aladwa: Edwin Sifuna risks removal from ODM for opposing Raila-Ruto alliance
Aladwa alleged that Sifuna is being used by Rigathi Gachagua to undermine ODM’s position and discredit the broad-based government.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Nairobi branch chairman George Aladwa has issued a stern warning to party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, accusing him of undermining the party from within and threatening his position.
The Makadara MP claims that Sifuna’s opposition to ODM’s political alignment with President William Ruto could lead to his removal.
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Speaking in Nairobi on Sunday, Aladwa criticised Sifuna for his persistent attacks on the broad-based government, terming his actions as an affront to Raila Odinga’s authority. He argued that Sifuna’s opposition to the political truce between President William Ruto and Odinga was detrimental to the party’s unity.
“If the secretary-general continues to fight the political handshake, we will have no choice but to push him out of ODM leadership,” Aladwa warned.
Drawing parallels with former ODM secretary-general Ababu Namwamba who was removed from office in 2016 for allegedly defying the party’s leadership, Aladwa cautioned Sifuna against what he termed as pride and arrogance.
“I want Senator Sifuna to know that pride comes before a fall. To be popular, you don’t have to shout at the rooftop, calling people names and disrespecting other leaders. You have to learn, listen, and be ready to be corrected,” he said.
Belittling party officials
Aladwa further accused Sifuna of belittling party officials who had been steadfast in their support for ODM’s ideals long before he joined the party. He dismissed Sifuna’s claim that he is the only official authorised to speak on ODM’s position, insisting that party matters should not be monopolised by an individual.
“I have been part of ODM since its inception in 2005. I have seen leaders who firmly stood for the party’s ideology without chest-thumping and stepping on others’ toes,” he said.
Aladwa also took issue with Sifuna’s remarks suggesting that he alone speaks for ODM, asserting that the senator was insignificant without Odinga’s endorsement.
“Senator Sifuna is a nobody in Nairobi just as he is a nobody in Bungoma County. We shall continue speaking because that is our right. Inciting county and branch chairpersons against those who disagree with you will not work. We will not be gagged by people trying to turn ODM into their personal property,” he said.
Sifuna has remained vocal in his criticism of President Ruto’s administration, maintaining that ODM is still in the opposition despite the apparent détente between Odinga and the President. He recently declared that Ruto would be a one-term president, citing the government's alleged failure to deliver for Kenyans.
“Even if ODM supports Ruto, he will still lose. As a party, we do not support the internal or external affairs of the way this country is being run. William Ruto will lose the next election even with Raila’s support,” Sifuna said on Citizen TV last Thursday.
Pro-people
“ODM will only enter into alliances with like-minded political parties that are pro-people and capable of managing the country. You cannot force us into an alliance with incompetent people, and it has been demonstrated that the Kenya Kwanza government is the most incompetent since independence,” he added.
However, Aladwa has now alleged that Sifuna is being used by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to undermine ODM’s position and discredit the broad-based government.
“Sifuna is free to leave ODM and join Gachagua’s side. We will meet in 2027 for a political contest. We saw him attending church with Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka without even inviting the area MP Beatrice Elachi,” Aladwa said.
The Makadara MP further accused Sifuna of eyeing the Nairobi governor’s seat in the next election with Gachagua’s backing, vowing to remain steadfast in fighting for ODM and the broad-based government.
“We are very loyal to our party leader Odinga. We know Sifuna is Gachagua’s candidate for Nairobi governor, but let him leave us in peace. We will continue defending the party and the broad-based government. And to those who celebrated Odinga’s loss at the African Union Commission, our time to celebrate will come in 2027,” Aladwa said.
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