Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna has vehemently opposed his ejection by the National Executive Committee(NEC) as the secretary general of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
In a press conference held at the Nairobi’s Sarova Panafric hotel on Thursday, Edwin Sifuna maintained that he was still a loyal member and the duly elected secretary general of the ODM party.
Sifuna was kicked out on Wednesday evening following a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
The NEC meeting, chaired by ODM party leader Oburu Oginga, appointed Busia woman Rep Catherine Omanyo to replace Sifuna in an acting capacity.
“The Party National Executive Committee meeting in Mombasa today has resolved to relieve SG Edwin Sifuna of his responsibilities with immediate effect.
“Effectively, Hon. Catherine Omanyo, who is one of the Deputy Secretary Generals, will act in this position until a substantive holder of the office is elected,” ODM said in a statement.
Notably, Sifuna was joined in his press conference by the EALA member of parliament Winnie Odinga, who is also the daughter of the late Hon. Raila Odinga. This comes just a day after Winnie expressed dissatisfaction with the decision by ODM to remove Sifuna from the Secretary General position. “It is not well,” the EALA MP posted on her Facebook page on Wednesday.
On his part, Raila’s son Raila Junior in a statement on Wednesday, February 11, suggested that great people are often shaped by difficult challenges. “The finest steel must go through the hottest fire,” he wrote on his X account, suggesting that he was equally not happy with the decision to kick out the secretary general.
Others who joined the Nairobi senator in his press conference are Embakasi East member of parliament Babu Owino, Siaya governor James Orengo, Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi amongst others. While addressing the audience, Mr. Osotsi accused Mr. Oburu Odinga of leading an hostile take over and kicking out Mr. Edwin Sifuna.
On his side, the Embakasi East legislator maintained that Sifuna was still the duly elected secretary general since those who removed him from office were illegal faces. “The meeting that took place in Mombasa was an illegal meeting. It was a kangaroo meeting that was set up to remove Edwin Sifuna from office. There is no was illegal office holders can remove a legal office holder from office.” Emphasized Babu Owino.
