ODM party leader Raila Odinga has come to the defense of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna following backlash over his remarks on the party’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kenya Kwanza government.
Speaking during the ODM delegates’ conference in Kakamega, Raila maintained that Sifuna had a democratic right to express his views, even if they differ from those of other party leaders. “Everybody has a right to speak their mind. That is democracy, and that is what ODM stands for,” Raila stated.
He emphasized that differing opinions are healthy within a democratic setup, urging members not to suppress dialogue but to use party structures to address disagreements. “If Sifuna has spoken, he has a right to do so. If you differ with him, speak out,” he added.
The remarks follow Sifuna’s appearance on Citizen TV, where he admitted the party was unclear about the Kenya Kwanza agreement’s status, claiming it was no longer being honored and had effectively expired. The statement sparked speculation of discontent within ODM’s top ranks.
Raila warned against using media platforms to air internal matters, calling on party members to wait for official channels such as the Central or National Executive Committees to resolve disputes. He reiterated that Sifuna, as the party’s spokesperson, would be guided by collective decisions made within the party.
The ODM leader also condemned tribalism within the party, reminding members that ODM is a national outfit, not tied to any ethnic group.
He concluded by announcing that a formal party position on the MoU would be made public after internal deliberations and consensus.
