Oburu's ODM faction now accuses Sifuna of working with Gachagua to wreck party

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leaders are accusing ousted Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna of working with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to weaken the party in its perceived strongholds.

Speaking in Kilifi County, the leaders affirmed that Catherine Omanyo is their preferred Secretary General, asking supporters to back party leader Oburu Oginga in ongoing negotiations with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The leaders, led by National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, spoke when they held a series of rallies in Magarini and Kilifi South on Friday, where they claimed that Sifuna and others opposed to a broad-based arrangement have formed a political vehicle aligned with the opposition.

“Wale ambao hawataki kudumisha chama wanafanya hayo ili kusambaratisha chama. Chama ichukue nidhamu ili kisimame imara vile Baba alivyokiacha,” said Busia Governor Paul Otuoma.

Busia Woman Rep. Catherine Omanyo added: “Nikiwa katibu mkuu naelewa Baba alituachia kazi nzito. Kazi ambayo haihitaji mtu wa kuwa watermelon. Mnajua tikiti maji, ukiwa unayumba-yumba, ile kazi Baba aliacha tutashindwa kuisukuma.”

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko on her part said, “Tusiwe kama popo nundu, si ndege si mnyama. Mara huko, mara huku. Tukuelewe vipi? Mtu ajitambulishe kwa tabia yake. Wewe kama ni kitatange abaki na kitatange.”

The leaders said Omanyo is their preferred choice for party Secretary General and have asked Sifuna to quit the party after differing with its positions on several matters.

“Sifuna sikiza, tulikupa heshima lakini kazi imekushinda. Catherine anaweza. Wacha kuharibu mambo, kwa nini umeenda kortini?” Kilifi Woman Rep. Gertrude Mbeyu posed.

“Wale wa masuala ya ‘shares’, hao hatutazungumza nao,” Wanga stated.

Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir added: “Manifesto yao ni ukabila, ni kuzungumza kuhusu shareholders.”

The leaders are expected to hold a series of rallies in Taita Taveta County on Saturday before winding up their Coast tour on Sunday.