Tension Heightens in ODM After Edwin Sifuna Suddenly Reshuffles Leaders
The Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Edwin Sifuna, is in a disagreement with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa. Barasa has alleged that Sifuna changed the leadership of the county assembly without informing him.
In a reiterated position on Tuesday, the county leader accused Sifuna of drafting a letter to the Speaker of Kakamega County, seeking to replace the majority leader of the assembly, Phillip Maina Ondako, with Honorable Geoffrey Ondiro Obonyo.
Barasa contended that the alterations were implemented without his awareness, even though he held the position of the ODM’s Kakamega County chairperson.
“The communication to the Speaker was not accompanied by any document such as minutes of the meeting in which the purported resolution was made,” he lamented.
“As Chairman of ODM, Kakamega County, I have urged the Speaker to ignore the directive until such a time when it will be clear to the County Leadership that a decision of such magnitude is reached after fulfilling due processes, including necessary consultations; and condemn in the strongest terms possible this attempt to destabilize the Kakamega County House Leadership.”
During a previous media briefing, the governor conveyed his dissatisfaction with the party’s course and encouraged Ondako to persist in his role.
“This is a matter that we are very disappointed in. For people to come and interfere with the running of Kakamega County just because they are interested in supporting other candidates to become governors. We shall not accept,” he added.
ALSO READ:
- Raila Ally Breaks Silence After Ruto-Uhuru Meeting
- Gachagua Close Ally Karungo Wa Thang’wa Accepts Ruto’s CBS Award
- Gov’t to Release Ksh.32 Billion to Counties Next Week – DP Kindiki
- High Court Strikes Down Ruto-Raila 2023 IEBC Amendment Bill
- Kenya Water Towers Agency Dissolved: Government Moves to Streamline State Corporations
“If you want the gubernatorial seat, wait for 2027 and join the ring we deal with you. We are going to work with MCAs who want development.”
He additionally asserted that on the scheduled day for implementing the modifications, the ODM Secretary General had allegedly offered bribes to numerous leaders to gain their endorsement for his preferred candidate.
Barasa claimed that the MCAs attended the session armed with crude weapons. (Gossipa2z.com could not independently verify the claims.”
“There are about 10 people who have been bought to cause chaos and I am aware that some of them went to the assembly with pangas to harass our people,” he added.
“To the leadership of the party, we expect you to be a father figure and not start intimidating nominated MCAs just because they are supporting the Majority leader Phillip Ondako.”
The ODM Party has garnered attention in the recent week amid allegations of emerging divisions between former governors Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, intensifying the competition for succession.
Opiyo Wandayi, the Minority Leader in the National Assembly, asserted that there were no divisions within the primary opposition party. He affirmed that Raila Odinga continued to be the leader of the party.
Tension Heightens in ODM After Edwin Sifuna Suddenly Reshuffles Leaders
