Orange Democratic Movement Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Monday skipped a key meeting of the party’s Central Committee in a move that raised questions on the outfit’s unity.
Although Party leader Oburu Oginga communicated Sifuna’s apology, grumbling and discontentment was heard as the message was delivered, signalling palpable tension that could have arisen had he chose to attend.
Sifuna fdid not respond to the Top News‘s call and message inquiring on why he skipped the meeting, his ally and counterpart in the Orange party, Godfrey Osotsi who was also notably absent was said to be in South Africa.
PREPAREDNESS
Oburu who was flanked by top party officials including Chairperson Gladys Wanga, Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Wajir counterpart Ahmed Abdullahi was evidently brief on their deliberations.
He began by thanking party supporters and members for recent successful celebrations of the party’s existence for twenty years. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the celebrations.
He was equally elated by the outfit’s performance in the recent by-elections where they won in three constituencies.
The main agenda that political observers wanted to hear came when he talked about the party’s preparedness for the 2027 General Election.
” The Central Committee noted that the general election is next year and resolve that the party continue with structured work towards positioning ODM Party to contest the next General Election and even coalition building,” said Oburu.
The officials gave Oburu a nod to move ahead with engaging President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance Party.
The party leader who was not keen on handling questions from restless journalists also delved into the 10- Point Agenda agreement in which they had with UDA Party.
COURT RULING
The party has backed the Court’s ruling that it is the Kenya National Human Rights Commission that is mandated to handle compensation of victims of police brutality.
He defended the party’s engagement with the Kenya Kwanza government, arguing that dialogue was aimed at securing political and development gains for ODM supporters.
Oburu cited his role in negotiations that resulted in the appointment of senior ODM figures to Cabinet, including Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho.
“We are engaging to ensure our people are not left out of national development and decision-making,” Oburu said.
THE CONTEST
The boycott came days after Oburu publicly challenged critics of his leadership to confront him at the party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC), insisting he was ready for a contest.
Despite the absences, Oburu struck a conciliatory note, reiterating his commitment to dialogue and internal dispute resolution. He praised Sifuna as a “sober and principled voice” within the party, following recent attempts by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch to remove the Secretary General — a petition that was later withdrawn.
“Differences of opinion do not mean division. Great parties grow through debate,” Oburu said, adding that ODM would prioritise engagement over punitive action.
The internal standoff has also drawn intervention from Ida Odinga, widow of ODM founding leader Raila Odinga, who has urged rival factions to embrace dialogue to avert a potential split.
