'My only crime is not supporting Ruto!' Angry Sifuna says after ouster as ODM SG

Addressing the media on Thursday, hours after his removal, Sifuna stated that the ouster is illegal and he is still the rightfully elected SG, claiming that his ouster was tied to President William Ruto's re-election talks.

He also blamed a few individuals, "answering to instructions from elsewhere," whom he said are hellbent on disuniting the party.

He opined that the ouster is a witch hunt for not supporting President Ruto's leadership, and nothing lawfully warrants his removal from the role he has held for over nine years.

"My only crime is that I have refused and opposed any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto's re-election because I have held the firm position that this country cannot afford another five years of divisive, incompetent and disastrous misadventures," he noted.

Sifuna holds that the ouster is a "coordinated war" against him, and he will not bow to pressures from people threatened by his presence in ODM leadership.

"I remain a loyal member and the duly elected Secretary General of the ODM party. I remain committed to the struggle of a fair, just and democratic Kenya," he said.

The Nairobi Senator also disputed allegations levelled against him that he has not been adhering to party resolutions, saying that he has never been summoned for questioning by ODM's legal team.

"At no time have I been informed of any allegations against me, be they of indiscipline, insubordination or incompetence in executing my duties. Neither have I been invited to respond to any complaints in and out of the party on any matter that would constitute grounds for removal of a Secretary General," he said.

"I don't think it is correct for anyone to say that Sifuna does not have a right to have a personal opinion...You people know me, you have seen me at work."

He also threw a jab at ODM party leader Oburu Odinga, arguing that he was unlawfully installed and that reflects the rascality being upheld in the party, eroding the pillars installed by its founder, the late Raila Odinga.

"Those who now purport to run the party are aware that the new party leader was installed unconstitutionally. These shortcuts reflect the bad manners that progressive institutions and individuals pick up soon as they get cosy with [President] William Ruto," he noted.

"I leave it to the party members to judge if this really is the path that Raila Odinga had set for us. Just 4 months after his death, we can agree that Raila must be turning in his grave."

The firebrand noted that he is pursuing a legal action against the matter.

"That matter is before the court; let those who have made those accusations come and explain to us how I confused the party with my own opinions," he added.

Meanwhile, Sifuna is also seeking legal action against the Council of Governors (CoG) after accusing him, along with four Senators, of intimidating and attempting to extort Governors appearing before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).

"Those Governors that are making those allegations, we will meet them in court because it is defamatory to say I have extorted you," Sifuna said.

He urged his supporters to continue supporting him, asserting that he will remain vigilant in preserving and upholding Raila Odinga's principles to guard the party.

After the leadership changes, ODM handed Sifuna's disputed position to Deputy Secretary General and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo , who will serve in acting capacity until a substantive office holder is elected.