‘Oburu, find your own Secretary General…I won’t serve mediocrity!’ Sifuna declares in explosive ODM fallout

Embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has appeared to signal his exit from the powerful party position, declaring that he will not continue serving under what he termed as “mediocrity” following the leadership transition after Raila Odinga’s passing last year.

Speaking during a charged address to supporters at what they called the ‘People’s’ National Delegates Convention (NDC) at Ufungamano House on Friday, the Linda Mwananchi faction leader suggested that he was ready to step aside from the role he has held for years, taking a direct swipe at the new party leadership under Dr. Oburu Oginga.

“It has been the honour of my life to be the Secretary General of probably the greatest politician this country will ever see, Raila Amollo Odinga,” he declared.

“Sasa nataka mniangalie vizuri; yaani mnataka kuniambia naweza kuwa katibu mkuu wa ODM, katibu mkuu wa Raila Odinga, miaka nane, and then I become the SG of mediocrity? Oburu tafuta SG wako, mimi siwezi kuwa SG wa Oburu. I will not be the SG of mediocrity, after Raila Odinga, you characters don’t deserve me.”

The remarks, widely interpreted as a public resignation or at the very least a refusal to serve under the new regime, mark a significant escalation of recent internal tensions within ODM following Raila’s death.

Even as he took a defiant tone, Sifuna maintained that leadership positions are ultimately determined by the will of the people, dismissing fears that he could be politically weakened by losing the said office.

“Sifuna sio mwoga, kazi yoyote ambayo mtanituma kufanya kwa ajili ya taifa la Kenya, hiyo kazi ndio Sifuna atafanya. Nafasi zote za uongozi Kenya hii, zinapeanwa na nyinyi wananchi; leo nikinyang’anywa nafasi yoyote, mimi naamini mtanirudishia yote 2027,” said the Nairobi Senator.

“Kwa hivo hakuna mtu anafaa kukaa mahali akifikiria Sifuna anakufa kwa sababu ya kukuwa katika nafasi yoyote ya uongozi. Nafasi zote za uongozi, iwe ndani ya chama cha ODM ama ndani ya taifa la Kenya, zinapeanwa na wananchi wa Kenya.”

He further clarified that he does not consider himself entitled to the ODM Secretary General position indefinitely, noting that other capable leaders exist within the party.

He had earlier on, however, insisted that any attempts to replace him as was previously done must strictly follow the party’s constitutional procedures.

“Sifuna was not born to be the Secretary General of ODM forever. Nimesema na nataka nirudie, sio lazima Sifuna awe katibu mkuu wa chama cha ODM. Ndani ya chama kuna vijana wengi ambao wanaweza kufanya hii kazi, lakini ukitaka kureplace Sifuna fuata katiba ya chama; itisha NDC ambayo kila mtu anaenda kwa debe, walete candidate wao alafu akutane na mimi,” he said.

“Sisi kama Linda Mwananchi tutakuwa na line up yetu, tutapatane na hao wakora ambao wamechukua pesa kuuza chama cha Raila Amollo Odinga, tuone ni nani atashinda.”

Sifuna’s comments came a few minutes after the Linda Ground faction of ODM, which is allied to the ruling government in a broad-based arrangement, also held its own Special Delegates Convention (SDC) where Dr. Oburu was formally ratified as the new party leader.