NAIROBI, Kenya – Embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has dismissed the ongoing party Special Delegates Convention (SDC) at ASK Grounds in Nairobi, terming it fake.
Speaking at a parallel convention at Ufungamano House, Sifuna, who doubles as the Nairobi senator, claimed that the conveners of the SDC were afraid of adhering to the party’s constitution.
“As a party, we proposed that delegates conduct elections at the grassroots. If delegates can conduct elections at the grassroots, why are some people holding top party positions afraid of these elections? So, the ODM SDC is illegal,” said Sifuna.
Earlier, Sifuna’s speech was cut short as anti-riot police officers moved in to evict the Linda Mwananchi attendees.
“As your secretary general, I want to thank you all for coming here in large numbers. We have so many leaders here. Mine will be very few. Since today’s NDC is about the citizens, we want to invite the public to come and speak. We, as leaders, will sit down and listen to you,” he added.
Speaking separately, Narok Senator Ledama Olekina, a member of ODM leader Oburu Oginga-led Linda Ground faction, said they had gathered at the ASK Grounds along Ngong Road to demonstrate the strength of the Orange party.
“This party is a machine that is going to propel development and move this country to higher heights. We are not here to fill any positions. We are here to follow the constitution of this party, and if there is any party that adheres to the rule of law, it is the ODM party,” he added.
Linda Mwananchi meets at Ufungamano House
But Sifuna insisted that the Linda Mwananchi faction had convened the Ufungamano House meeting because the party was currently at a pivotal moment.
“The party has been infiltrated by thugs. We told them that we wanted to hold a National Delegates Convention (NDC) where everyone would be allowed at the ballot box. We wanted an election where new ODM officials would be elected into office,” stated Sifuna.
Senator Olekina urged his Nairobi counterpart, Sifuna, to proceed and go back to the party “so that he can follow all the party mechanisms to be able to put his grievance forward”.
“So, it is not the courts that will decide; it is the members. You cannot be forced to have someone whom you do not want. So, we just want to assure Kenyans that ODM is intact. All the noises you are hearing are an indication that ODM still has strength. This is where ODm is, that is a bonoko (fake) rally,” explained Olekina.
The repatriation of Raila Odinga’s body to Kenya
Earlier, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino engaged anti-riot police officers to allow a parallel ODM meeting to continue at Ufungamano House.
Senator Sifuna said he was heartbroken when Kenyans sent him to pick former ODM leader Raila Odinga’s body from India.
“While I was away, even before the body arrived in Kenya, some individuals sat down to plan how to assume his position in the party. When I arrived in Kenya, I was informed that Oburu was now the party leader. Who said that Oburu should be ODM’s party leader? Did you elect him?” posed the Nairobi senator.
Siaya Governor James Orengo announced that the liberation of Kenya to create a new constitution was done at Ufungamano House.
“I want to tell the police that any action of assault on any one of us will follow you, we will follow you, we will not leave you alone, and we will not just come for you, we will come for all those who came for you here… We are a peaceful people. This is the party of Raila Amollo Odinga. This meeting is properly convened by Sifuna,” Orengo explained.
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