Nairobi Senator and former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna attended the burial of the mother of former MP Kanini Kega in Nyeri, where he made headlines by offering a public apology to the local community regarding the recent political climate and the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a rare moment of political rapprochement, Sifuna addressed the gathering, acknowledging the role he and other leaders played in the political challenges facing leaders from the Mt. Kenya region, including Gachagua.
“Hiyo shida ni sisi tuliwaweka ndani” (That trouble is what we put you through), Sifuna stated while addressing several leaders allied to the movement surrounding the former Deputy President. His remarks were directed at politicians who have faced political setbacksincluding the impeachment of Gachaguasignaling a shift in tone as he sought to acknowledge the grievances of the region.
Reflections on Leadership and Neutrality
Sifuna contrasted this with the current leadership of the National Assembly, led by Speaker Moses Wetangula, whom he criticized for allegedly acting as a “puppet” of the current administration. He argued that under Muturi, parliamentary processes were managed with greater independence, whereas the current house leadership has become an instrument for political maneuvering.
Sifuna used the funeral as a platform to highlight the political sacrifices made by leaders from the Mt. Kenya region who supported Raila Odinga, often referred to as “Baba,” during the last general election. He specifically mentioned Kanini Kega, former Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu, Priscilla Nyokabi, and communications strategist Pauline Njoroge, among others.
He noted that many of these leaders faced electoral losses or political isolation for standing with the opposition. “Mheshimiwa Kanini Kega alipoteza kiti yake kwa sababu ya kuunga mkono Raila Amolo Odinga” (Honorable Kanini Kega lost his seat because of supporting Raila Amolo Odinga), Sifuna remarked, emphasizing that the ODM party remains appreciative of those who stood by their coalition despite the hostility they faced in the region.
The presence of Edwin Sifuna at an event dominated by allies of the former Deputy President underscores the fluid and shifting nature of Kenyan politics following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua. By publicly apologizing, Sifuna appears to be positioning his party to find common ground with Mt. Kenya leaders who feel disenfranchised by the current government.
The event, marked by solemnity and political heavy-hitting, highlights the ongoing efforts of opposition leaders to penetrate the Mt. Kenya political base, leveraging local grievances to build new alliances as the country navigates the post-impeachment political landscape.