Three days after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna-led rally was disrupted by tear gas and chaotic scenes in Kitengela, Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga has finally broken his silence, condemning the violence and demanding accountability.
Addressing the Senate on Wednesday, Oburu said the attack on peaceful party supporters threatened the 10 Point agenda, a bipartisan initiative with President William Ruto’s government.
“I want to first of all say that I did not like what happened last weekend in Kitengela, when there were people who were tear-gassed in our peaceful rally. I hope the police will investigate it thoroughly and the culprits will be punished accordingly, because, Mr Speaker, we are in the implementation of a 10 Point agenda,” Oburu said.
The unrest, which unfolded on Sunday, came after Oburu fired Sifuna as ODM Secretary General, a decision later overturned by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
The ODM Linda Mwananchi faction saw hundreds of supporters converge in Kitengela town, chanting the “wantam” slogan as leaders addressed them.
The crowd overwhelmed security officers who were attempting to maintain order. Some youths hurled stones at police, prompting reinforcements. A Kitengela Police Station Land Cruiser had its windscreen smashed, and officers fired gunshots into the air before lobbing tear gas canisters to disperse the gathering, bringing the rally to an abrupt end.
At least one person was shot dead, and several others were injured.
Sifuna, alongside other opposition members, has accused President Ruto’s government of repeatedly disrupting and intimidating opposition rallies and peaceful assemblies. The leaders have also accused Oburu’s faction of aligning itself with Ruto, further deepening divisions within ODM.
Reacting to the disruption, Sifuna lauded Kitengela residents for their courage, saying, “In spite of all the harassment, intimidation and violence from this morning, you showed up. They first destroyed our dais and sound equipment in the morning, and the state goons have now teargassed a peaceful assembly and brought it to an abrupt end. We shall not relent.”
He insisted that intimidation would not deter him.
“Even if they want, they can hunt us down, scheme against us, but we will not stop speaking the truth to protect Kenyans from injustices of the government, the corruption, abductions and extrajudicial killings,” he said.
Sifuna described himself as “a rebel with a cause” against President Ruto’s administration, accusing the government of corruption, abductions and extrajudicial killings.
“Kenyans are giving me comfort. Even if they eliminate me, at least more than 15 million Kenyans will soldier on with this noble course to liberate our country. Our economy is on its knees. They (the State) are threatening us to keep silent lest we lose our positions,” he said.
Siaya Governor James Orengo also criticised Oburu, alleging the party had been compromised.
“Our forefathers had a vision for this country that gave birth to democracy and stability. The Sifuna-led team has what it takes to bring change to our nation. This movement is not about 2027 elections; it is about liberating our country now,” he said.
“Only a despot would eliminate budding politicians, but no one can stop a country’s liberation. We will traverse this nation and instil courage in Kenyans who are living in fear under a dictatorial regime.”
ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi warned that the party had been “remotely controlled by the State” and urged members to protect its legacy.
“The ODM in Mombasa does not carry the aspirations of our fallen party leader, Raila Odinga. They operate at the behest of someone else. We must protect our party from being auctioned to the highest bidder,” he said.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino condemned attempts to sabotage the rally and urged youth and women to support the Sifuna faction ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Oburu Odinga and his ilk may have the party structure, but we have the members. Let them know we cannot be cowed by threats. They are hawking our party to the highest bidder, but we will not be party to that mischievous move,” he said.
The leaders accused Oburu’s faction of being aligned with President Ruto, deepening divisions in ODM.
“We were three deputy party leaders, those ones have gone to Ruto. I am the one who has remained in ODM,” Osotsi said.
Owino added, “I want to tell those in Mombasa (Oburu team in Tononoka), they have the party, but we have the party members.”
At the church service, the faction insisted grassroots members remain behind them and vowed to resist any attempt to compromise ODM’s independence.
“If you want to live for a long time, stand for the truth. This journey is not just for 2027, but now, we must liberate our country,” Orengo said.
The faction claimed the move to remove Sifuna was aimed at silencing dissenting voices and steering the party into alliances without member consultation, insisting internal disputes should be resolved through legally recognised party structures.
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