Tension Heigh After Edwin Sifuna Abruptly Reshuffles ODM Leaders
Edwin Sifuna, the Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), is in conflict with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.
The governor has accused Sifuna of altering the leadership of the county legislature without his prior knowledge.
The county leader restated his position on Tuesday, accusing Sifuna of composing a letter to the Kakamega County Speaker, in which he replaced the assembly’s majority leader, Phillip Maina Ondako, with Honourable Geoffrey Ondiro Obonyo.
Barasa contended that the alterations were implemented without his awareness, despite his position as the chairperson of the ODM in Kakamega County.
“The communication to the Speaker was not accompanied by any document such as minutes of the meeting in which the purported resolution was made,” he lamented.
“As Chairman of ODM, Kakamega County, I have urged the Speaker to ignore the directive until such a time when it will be clear to the County Leadership that a decision of such magnitude is reached after fulfilling due processes, including necessary consultations; and condemn in the strongest terms possible this attempt to destabilise the Kakamega County House Leadership.”
During a previous news briefing, the governor conveyed his dissatisfaction with the party’s trajectory and encouraged Ondako to persist in his role.
“This is a matter that we are very disappointed in. For people to come and interfere with the running of Kakamega County just because they are interested in supporting other candidates to become governors. We shall not accept,” he added.
“If you want the gubernatorial seat, wait for 2027 and join the ring we deal with you. We are going to work with MCAs who want development.”
Additionally, he asserted that on the designated day for the modifications, the ODM Secretary General had illicitly influenced numerous leaders with bribes to garner their support for his preferred candidate.
Barasa alleged that the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) arrived at the session carrying primitive weapons. (politics254.com was unable to authenticate the assertions.)
“There are about 10 people who have been bought to cause chaos and I am aware that some of them went to the assembly with pangas to harass our people,” he added.
“To the leadership of the party, we expect you to be a father figure and not start intimidating nominated MCAs just because they are supporting the Majority leader Phillip Ondako.”
The ODM Party has recently gained attention due to allegations of factionalism between former governors Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, as the competition for succession intensifies.
Opiyo Wandayi, the Minority Leader of the National Assembly, asserted that there were no divisions within the prominent opposition group and that Raila Odinga continued to be its leader.
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Tension Heigh After Edwin Sifuna Abruptly Reshuffles ODM Leaders
