Speaking on Tuesday during the burial of former Lugari MP Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo in Lumakanda, Kakamega County, Orengo said ODM’s leadership structure is firmly anchored in law and party tradition, insisting that Sifuna remains the party’s legitimate Secretary General and official spokesperson.
Orengo, a veteran lawyer and constitutionalist, dismissed claims that Sifuna is acting outside party structures, saying such accusations amount to a direct attack on ODM’s constitution.
“I recognise Edwin Sifuna as the Secretary General of ODM. Raila Odinga made it clear that the party’s spokesperson is Sifuna, and that position stands in law,” Orengo said.
He added that attempts to undermine or intimidate Sifuna were dangerous and threatened the internal democracy that ODM has long championed.
Orengo further stressed that Sifuna’s membership and standing in the party are no different from his own, warning against selective loyalty tests within ODM ranks.
“Sifuna is in ODM just as I am in ODM,” he said.
Warning Over ‘Swallowing’ Political Parties
Beyond defending Sifuna, Orengo raised alarm over what he described as a growing trend of political parties being weakened or absorbed, warning that such moves threaten Kenya’s democratic space.
He urged Kenyans to resist efforts to hollow out parties through political deals, saying strong, independent parties are the foundation of democracy.
“Political parties are being swallowed one by one. One of my close friends, Musalia Mudavadi, was swallowed, and his party disappeared. Ford Kenya is being slowly chewed, and now ODM is being targeted. We cannot accept this. Democracy must prevail,” Orengo said.
The Siaya governor also cautioned communities against equating government appointments with political inclusion, arguing that the presence of a few leaders in government does not automatically mean an entire party or region is part of the ruling coalition.
Orengo’s remarks come amid growing internal tension within ODM following the party’s cooperation arrangement with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
Sifuna, who is also the Nairobi Senator, has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the government, frequently questioning policies and warning against what he sees as efforts to dilute ODM’s role as an opposition force.
His outspoken stance has won him support from sections of ODM’s grassroots and reform-minded members, but it has also drawn sharp criticism from party leaders aligned with cooperation between ODM and the government.
Some of his critics have accused him of defying party consensus and, in extreme cases, plotting to “sell” the party — allegations that Sifuna has strongly rejected.
In response, Sifuna has maintained that those accusing him are the ones quietly pushing to compromise ODM’s independence for political convenience.
Both Sifuna and Orengo have previously vowed to resist any attempts to fold ODM into the ruling establishment, insisting the party must retain its identity, values, and autonomy.
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