North Eastern ODM leaders dismiss Sifuna, claim he has personal beef with Ruto
Abdullahi says the senator's attacks on the broad-based government by Sifuna is personal since even his party leader Raila Odinga has affirmed support for Ruto until the next General Election
Leaders from the North Eastern region, led by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, dismissed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s sentiments as personal and not reflective of the party’s position.
Abdullahi, who is also the chairman of the Council of Governors, claimed that the attacks on the broad-based government by Sifuna is personal since even his party leader Raila Odinga has affirmed support for Ruto until the next General Election.
He told off the ODM Secretary General that they shall not hate on the Head of State, adding that as he criticises Ruto, he should do it in a way that does not divide Kenyans.
“Don’t require us to hate Ruto because you do. Come with whatever candidate you want, but also allow those okay with Ruto to have a voice. Do it in a mature way that does not incite Kenyans,” he said.
“I want to assure you that a majority of ODM is supportive of the broad-based government. Our party leader has already said that we shall support the president until 2027, and other things shall follow after, and it shall be discussed. Those making noise, I do not understand what their problem is. For those making noise, I do not know what President Ruto has done for them because it is very personal,” he added.
Garissa Senator Abdul Mohammed Haji requested the Wajir governor, who is the ODM National Organising Secretary, to talk to Sifuna, whom he claimed is lost.
“The Wajir governor is a boss in ODM. If the party decided that it is in the broad-based government and will support Ruto, then it should speak in one voice. When you go back, talk to Sifuna,” he said.
Though a Jubilee member, a party under the Azimio coalition, Senator Haji chose to side with President Ruto and thus has been preaching the Kenya Kwanza gospel. He now believes the boat is being rocked from within.
This comes as the ODM secretary general continues to be a marked man with a barrage of accusations coming his way over his remarks that put into question the party’s loyalty to the broad-based arrangement.
Partners within the arrangement want a firm answer on who Sifuna speaks for, noting that he has been critical of the ODM-Kenya Kwanza, voicing his opposition to it, yet he seems to go unscathed.
There have been efforts to downplay Sifuna’s remarks, who has categorically said ODM does not align itself with some of the actions of the Kenya Kwanza administration
Abdullahi has been at the forefront, championing the embrace of the Ruto administration in North Eastern with leaders from the area already reaping some fruits from the association.
The weekend is expected to usher in political fireworks as allies of Raila are now asking him to rein in Sifuna or give a clearer response on who he represents in his statements.
