‘SIT DOWN AND TALK’, MAMA IDA TELLS SIFUNA, JUNET OVER ODM WRANGLES

Mama Ida Odinga has appealed to senior officials of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to resolve their internal differences and uphold the unity of the party in line with the vision of her late husband, Raila Odinga, describing it as a vital service to the nation.

In recent days, sharp public disagreements have emerged between ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and the party’s Director of Elections, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed. The feud centres on the alleged mismanagement and distribution of campaign funds during Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful 2022 presidential campaign.

The open confrontation has highlighted growing divisions within ODM in the period following Raila’s passing, raising concerns about the party’s cohesion in the post-Baba era.

While commemorating what would have been Raila Odinga’s 81st birthday at their Karen home on Wednesday, Mama Ida called on the party’s leadership to reflect seriously on Raila’s dreams for ODM and the country, and to reconcile for the greater good.

“It is my wish that we can preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to the country. I appeal to those he left in leadership to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and our country,” she stated.

“Let us support the problems of the party by asking ourselves what Baba would do. Your guess is as good as mine. Baba would tell us, let us sit down and talk and that’s my wish; to talk about our differences.”

Mama Ida highlighted Raila’s leadership style, noting that he always engaged in wide consultations with party officials and ordinary Kenyans before making major decisions.

She emphasised Raila’s profound affection for ODM and urged leaders to honour his memory by working together to strengthen and unify the party.

“Baba had another love, ODM. I thank the party and staff who served Baba in life and death. Baba ran ODM with dedication, firm and fair hands. He ran ODM on the principle of constant consultation and always referring to the people.”

The dispute between Sifuna and Junet became public during the burial of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s mother. At the event, Senator Sifuna accused MP Junet of misappropriating funds donated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta for campaign agents, claiming the money never reached the intended recipients and contributed to Raila’s loss in critical constituencies.

In response, Junet denied the allegations, countering that the funds were distributed within Uhuru’s close circle and that some of the money even reached Sifuna himself.

The exchange divided party supporters, with different factions aligning behind one leader or the other and exchanging blame.The controversy also prompted Migori Senator Eddy Oketch to push for Sifuna’s removal from his position as Secretary General, citing alleged gross misconduct.

However, Senator Oketch later withdrew the motion, explaining that he chose to respect Raila Odinga’s lifelong commitment to dialogue as the best way to settle disputes.