The rift within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is deepening following public exchanges among top party leaders, after remarks by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna during the burial ceremony of the late former Lugari lawmaker, Cyrus Jirongo, forcing Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to declare their stand.
Oparanya, who was the party’s deputy leader before joining the broad-based government, stated that he is ready to quit ODM if he and others are seen as part of the problem.
The CS who served as Kakamega Governor for two terms also called for unity among leaders, arguing that if they came together, they would form a “sleeping giant” politically, while noting that Siaya Governor James Orengo has maintained he cannot leave ODM.
“If we are the problem, for me, I’m ready to get out of the ODM party, I want to openly say this here,” Oparanya declared, speaking during the late Jirongo’s send-off.
Sifuna Publicly Issues an Apology to Uhuru
Sifuna, addressing the controversy, issued an apology on behalf of what he termed both the “reasonable people” and “washenzi” within ODM, expressing regret over abusive remarks directed at former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He also formally thanked Kenyatta for his support, stating that the acknowledgement was made in his capacity as ODM Secretary General and on behalf of the party.
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“On behalf of the entire ODM team, because the party has reasonable people and ‘washenzi,’ on behalf of the ‘washenzi,’ I apologise for the abuse directed at you. If there’s no day the ODM party thank you Uhuru, today I want to say thank you as the ODM secretary general and on behalf of the ODM party,” he addressed.
Further Escalations
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed added to the discourse by declaring himself the spokesperson of the self-styled “washenzi” group within ODM, saying he would speak without fear or favour.
“I shall be the spokesperson of the ‘WASHENZI’ Group in the Mighty ODM party. Without fear and favour, so help me God,” said Junet in a shared X post in response to what Sifuna addressed earlier in the day.
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Meanwhile, reacting to Junet’s public post, Homa Bay Town MP George Peter Kaluma questioned when ODM leaders opposed to the Broad-Based Government would exit the party to join allies of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, asserting that the Broad-Based Government would extend beyond 2027 with a clear development agenda.
In a further escalation, Oparanya indicated his willingness to quit ODM to help forge Luhya unity under a regionally backed party, framing the move as a way to honour the legacy of the late former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.
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