Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has come to the defence of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and called on leaders from the Western Kenya to end public altercations.
Speaking during a church service at St. Mary's Ndengelwa Catholic Church on Sunday, Lusaka warned that continued infighting among leaders of the Mulembe nation could diminish the community's influence on the national political stage.
“It is unfortunate that some of our leaders are shouting at each other in public instead of engaging constructively. We must learn to convince and dialogue, not abuse one another,” he said.
The governor condemned recent verbal attacks against Sifuna by some leaders in the region, terming them unnecessary and harmful to regional cohesion.
Sifuna, who also serves as Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has recently been under pressure following his criticism of the ODM-UDA cooperation.
“Edwin is one of us. If you disagree with him, talk to him with respect and try to persuade him—do not insult him,” Lusaka added.
Sifuna has taken a firm stance against the ODM-UDA working arrangement, declaring it “effectively dead” due to what he describes as the ruling party’s failure to implement a 10-point joint agenda.
In response, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has renewed calls for Sifuna to resign from his positions as Senate Minority Leader and ODM Secretary-General.
However, Sifuna has firmly dismissed the demands, asserting that only ODM party leader Raila Odinga has the authority to remove him.
“I was elected and appointed by the party leadership. Unless Raila asks me to leave, I’m not going anywhere,” Sifuna said recently.
Lusaka emphasised that the region’s political strength lies in its unity and pledged to lead efforts to reconcile feuding leaders, including reaching out to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya for dialogue.
“We must speak with one voice so that we can achieve more for our people,” Lusaka urged.
Highlighting the benefits of cooperation with the national government, Lusaka pointed to the recent allocation of Sh7 billion for the construction of a Level 6 referral hospital in Bungoma County, which he credited to his collaborative approach with President William Ruto’s administration.
