Orengo, Sifuna vow to stop ODM from being ‘sold’ to Ruto
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) top leadership have vowed to defend the party by all means from being auctioned to President William Ruto by brokers in the party.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) top leadership have vowed to defend the party by all means from being auctioned to President William Ruto by brokers in the party.
ODM leaders, led by the party secretary general Edwin Sifuna, deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi and Siaya governor James Orengo, said they have not sent brokers to negotiate on behalf of the party with President Ruto’s government.
Sifuna said the direction the ODM party will take in 2027 will be decided by the party members and not individuals.
“We have not sent anybody as an ODM party to speak to anyone about positions in the government. We have not sent any broker to negotiate for ODM in the government,” said Sifuna.
He added, “As ODM, we say that the party has not decided the direction the party will take in 2027. The direction that ODM will take will be decided by the party members and not a few individuals.”
He said ODM members have not yet decided their direction, contrary to what the other party leaders are alleging.
Sifuna also said ODM is strong enough to produce a presidential candidate, as said by Raila Odinga before his demise.
“Raila himself told us that ODM has the strength to field a presidential candidate in 2027. If you say we are going to support someone else, Baba told us to ask you, ‘Who told you? Who told you? Who told you?’ Sifuna asked.
Osotsi, who is also a Vihiga senator, asked President Ruto to stop being hoodwinked by brokers and instead engage ODM through the party structures.
He said the move by a few individuals being called at the State House to negotiate for the ODM party won’t succeed.
He said one cannot say he or she is negotiating for ODM without the presence of top party leadership.
“I told President Ruto to talk to the ODM party through the party structures. You cannot be negotiating for ODM without the presence of top party leadership, like Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, James Orange, and Osotsi, among others. What we are seeing – a few people being called at State House to negotiate for ODM – is contrary to party structures,” said Osotsi.
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Orengo sounded a warning to ODM against engaging the UDA and information arrangements.
He cautioned that ODM are likely to fade off if they engage in information arrangements without thinking, without reasoning properly and analysing their moves as a party without influence from anyone.
“I warn ODM against engaging in informal arrangements with the government without thinking, without sitting down properly and analysing the party moves without anyone’s influence. If you do so, in another year, your ODM will be a smaller party than it is today,” cautioned Orengo.
He added, “ODM will be a loser if you enter into these arrangements. Any party that joins another party without constitutional and legal protection becomes a small party.”
Orengo pointed at the ANC of Musalia Mudavadi and Jubilee of Uhuru Kenyatta, which have faded away because of engaging in informal arrangements.
He said the ODM party is bigger, and it has political muscle to stand on its own.
Orengo also termed the broad-based government as an informal arrangement between President Ruto and the late Raila Odinga.
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