A new controversy is brewing within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party following the nomination of some of its key members to President William Ruto's Cabinet.
The internal conflict has divided the party between those supporting the Cabinet nominations and those against collaborating with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda stated that ODM would direct Secretary General Edwin Sifuna to soften his position on working with the Kenya Kwanza government. During a panel interview on a local TV station, Ojienda noted that Sifuna's assertion that ODM is not cooperating with the ruling party contradicts the popular belief within the party.
He thus noted that ODM party officials will call the Nairobi Senator to order and advise him to tear the line.
"I will tell you today that Sifuna will be directed to be quiet and tore the line. I will make sure that he be told that ODM and UDA are working together. Our followers believe that the government delivers and we have an obligation to work for the government," Ojienda stated.
"Are we witnessing Edwin Sifuna’s political Bermuda triangle? Is he sinking? Is he on his own? Because he seems to be pulling in a different direction from ODM," he added.
Sifuna's stance has also rattled other ODM members who have come out gun blazing. Kileleshwa MCA has castigated the party secretary general who he accused of pushing his personal interests.
"Tell Sifuna that ODM is not his private property. Many realise this late," Alai wrote on X. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma also threatened to push for the ouster of Sifuna for failing to properly the party's position.
Ojienda further insisted that ODM leaders nominated to Cabinet received blessings from former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. "Mbadi, Joho, Oparanya, and Wandayi cannot be nominated as President Ruto’s CS nominees without the blessings of Raila Odinga," he insisted.
Ruto nominated ODM chairman John Mbadi to the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning and the Leader of the Minority side in Parliament Opiyo Wandayi to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
ODM Deputy Party Leader and former Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho has been nominated to the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs. Additionally, former Kakamega County Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya has been nominated to the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development.
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, Sifuna explained that the four ODM members nominated to the Cabinet had not been recommended by the party to join Ruto's government. He emphasized that these nominations do not represent the party's position.
"I expect that before they go for vetting, I will receive their resignations from party positions. This is my expectation because the law states they cannot enter the Cabinet as members of political parties," Sifuna stated during a show on a local TV station. He further clarified that ODM has not joined the Kenya Kwanza government.
