Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has firmly defended his tenure as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General, dismissing calls for his resignation and emphasizing his unwavering loyalty to the party. Marking seven years in office, Sifuna took to social media to assert his commitment to ODM, quipping that the role is simple when guided by principles of “Loyalty, Fidelity, and Faithfulness.”
“Time does fly when you are having fun. It’s seven years to the day today! It’s very easy to be SG of ODM. You just need to follow the blueprint left by Gerald Otieno Kajwang Loyalty. Fidelity. Faithfulness. Easy as ABC,” Sifuna posted on X on Sunday morning.
His remarks came in response to Nairobi ODM Chairperson and Makadara MP George Aladwa, who on Saturday claimed that Sifuna’s tenure was nearing its end. Aladwa warned Sifuna that he was not immune to changes in party leadership, citing past Secretaries General like Ababu Namwamba who left the position.
“I want to warn Sifuna, the one calling himself the Secretary General of ODM. We’ve had many Secretaries General before; he’s not the first. Ababu left, and he will also leave. He should completely stay away from me. I see he has insulted me a lot, but I want to tell him that his days in ODM are numbered,” Aladwa declared.
Sifuna was first appointed as ODM Secretary General in 2016 in an acting capacity following Namwamba’s exit. He was later confirmed to the position in 2018 during the party’s National Delegates Convention at Kasarani Gymnasium.
Recently, he has faced criticism from some ODM leaders who accuse him of shifting his loyalty away from party leader Raila Odinga. His vocal stance against the Kenya Kwanza administration has sparked internal divisions, with some party members arguing that his approach does not align with ODM’s evolving political strategy, particularly as some members collaborate with the ruling coalition.
Despite this, several senior ODM leaders have come to Sifuna’s defense. Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o have rallied behind him, affirming that his stance represents the party’s official position. ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi also dismissed calls for Sifuna’s resignation, describing him as a “brilliant and visionary leader” who deserves respect.
“Sifuna is one of the most brilliant and visionary leaders in the party. Let him be respected,” Osotsi stated. “We don’t want a situation where junior members of the party attack party officials.”
As ODM navigates internal challenges, Sifuna remains steadfast, asserting that his leadership is grounded in loyalty to the party’s ideals. Whether he will withstand the ongoing pressure remains to be seen, but for now, he is holding firm against his critics.
