Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party chairperson Gladys Wanga has criticized Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna for inconsistent statements regarding his opposition to the broad-based government.
Speaking in Kisumu on Wednesday, February 25, during the party’s grassroots delegates meeting, Wanga provided information on how the broad-based government was established, highlighting Sifuna’s significant contribution to its formation.
Wanga disclosed that Sifuna, who was serving as the ODM party secretary-general at the time, drafted the 10-point agenda following instructions from Kisumu governor Anyang Nyong’o.
The 10-point agenda, introduced during a period of political instability in Kenya, later evolved into the broad-based government arrangement following a memorandum of understanding signed between ODM and President William Ruto’s UDA party.
“We all recall the Gen Z demonstrations in June 2024. However, Raila sought stability for the nation and contributed experts to the government, which marked the inception of the broad-based government,” the Homa Bay governor explained.
She continued, “On March 7, 2025, an agreement was formalized recognizing this arrangement. Sifuna read the agreement on behalf of the ODM party. Many may not realize that Sifuna was the one who wrote the 10-point agenda.”
“But you might also remember that after the agreement was signed, he appeared on national television while Raila was still living and stated that Ruto would not be re-elected in 2027.”
Concerning Sifuna’s position on the legitimacy of party leader Oburu Odinga, Wanga explained that following Raila Odinga’s passing, she called a national executive committee meeting to determine the party’s future direction. This meeting, she noted, was attended by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Caleb Amisi, who are members of the Linda Mwananchi faction within the party.
The meeting concluded that the party should have a leader, with Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga being proposed and seconded. He initially served in an acting capacity before being formally installed during the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations in November 2025.
Wanga contends that Sifuna, in his role as secretary general, administered the swearing-in of Oburu as party leader, questioning why Sifuna now challenges Oburu’s legitimacy as party leader.
“Sifuna was the one who swore in Oburu as our party leader. Yet he continues to claim that Oburu occupies his position unlawfully. Why would he administer the oath if Oburu was indeed illegally appointed?” Wanga questioned.
The Homa Bay governor further asserted that when the party decided on a particular matter, Sifuna was observed at the airport boarding a flight to Mombasa but later skipped the meeting, citing a delayed flight as his excuse.
This persistent defiance of the party’s stance and contradictory statements ultimately resulted in his removal as the party secretary-general. Wanga, however, clarified that Sifuna continues to be a member of the party.