Omanga: ODM could be fattening Sifuna for slaughter

Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga has questioned ODM party’s tolerance for internal dissent, following a barrage of criticism directed at Secretary General Edwin Sifuna over his remarks on the ODM-UDA pact.

Sifuna, while speaking on Tuesday, dismissed the MoU signed between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto in March as “dead,” triggering backlash from several party insiders. 

However, Raila came to his defence Friday, saying Sifuna was entitled to express his views freely.

“If Sifuna has spoken, he has every right to do so. If you disagree with him, say your piece too,” Raila stated.

He said ODM remains a democratic party.

Weighing in on the fallout, Omanga suggested Sifuna may be walking a political tightrope within the party. 

“They could be fattening the erudite Edwin Sifuna for slaughter,” she posted on X,  implying that the party might be preparing to sacrifice him for challenging the prevailing narrative.

Speaking in Kakamega, Raila affirmed that Sifuna has the right to express his opinion, just like any other member of the party.

He urged ODM leaders and supporters to embrace open dialogue and dissent, even if it involves criticism of his leadership.

The former Prime Minister stressed that he has not imposed any restrictions on speech within the party.

“I have never told anyone in ODM how they should speak. Even if someone says Baba is old and should go back to Bondo, I have no problem with that; it is the people who will decide,” he said.

Raila added that while members are free to air their views publicly, official party positions are decided through established internal structures.

“Sifuna’s comments, like any other member’s, will be discussed in our party organs. That is where we respond and build consensus,” he explained.

He reaffirmed ODM’s commitment to internal democracy and dialogue, especially in light of the evolving broad-based government deal, which he said will undergo review in due course.

“We’ll sit down, assess what has been implemented, and agree on the way forward together,” Raila said.

Speaking recently during a TV interview, Sifuna declared the ODM–UDA deal “dead,” citing continued police brutality, including the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody on June 8.

Sifuna said the MoU had two pillars: the protection of lives and the safeguarding of democracy.

While democracy had held, he said, innocent lives were still being lost, rendering the agreement meaningless.

"On the day Albert Ojwang dies in a police cell, for me, this agreement is dead,” Sifuna said in the interview.

He also rejected a proposal to join a review team on the agreement, saying, “I am not a mortician,” and defended his belief that removing President Ruto had now become a national priority.