By Anderson Ojwang
Immediate former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna chose ACK St Stephen Cathedral Kisumu to relay to the party leadership that they were free to take over whatever the late Raila Amolo Odinga had bequeathed to him.
An emotional Sifuna said after the death of a father, battle over inheritance and family properties usually erupts, and told the ODM leadership to feel free to dispossess him of Raila’s bequeaths.
“It is a usual occurrence: when the father dies, people come and disinherit his children of the properties,” he said.
A section of ODM leaders have been demanding that the vehicle Sifuna uses as ODM Secretary General be taken away from him, among other things.
Sifuna said there were certain things Raila had given to him in his accord, and that he was ready to surrender them to ODM leadership.
“There are things Baba, Raila gave me himself in his wisdom, but people have decided to take them all. I am ready because Bishop Charles Onginjo has said God will give more,” he said.
He said God and the people will reward him even if the ODM leadership chooses to take everything Raila had bequeathed to him.
“Everything that they will take that I was given by Baba and the people, the people will give it back to me. I believe that is the truth,” he said.
Unity
Sifuna dismissed any allegations of differences in Linda Mwananchi, saying they will not be separated.
“Governor James Orengo, thank you for the invite, and we have said we must remain united. If you ever believe in things Baba used to believe in, we must all remain. We are not separating. The people of Nyanza, Western, and Coast, let us remain united and walk together,” he said.
He told the residents of Nyanza not to be worried about a possible fallout between the Luo and the Luhya communities.
“Do not be worried about things that have happened that people of Western are bitter with Nyanza. It is not. The internal problem in the party is just individuals bringing issues into the party. As a community, we know you have always stood for justice, and we will continue to walk together,” he said.
Oburu sacks Sifuna
After the demise of Raila, the new party leader Dr Oburu Oginga amplified the scheme to sack Sifuna as Secretary General.
The ODM National Executive Council (NEC) approved the sacking of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General and spokesperson with immediate effect.
The move followed a protracted battle between the party leader Dr Oginga’s faction against Sifuna over the pre-election coalition pact with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
NEC appointed Catherine Omanyo, who is one of the Deputy Secretaries General, to act in this position until a substantive holder of the office is elected.
Last week, the Registrar of Political Parties effected the sacking of the Nairobi Senator as ODM Secretary General.
In a letter dated 9th July 2026, signed by J.C. Lorionokou, effecting the removal of Sifuna as Secretary General to have been in line with the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution, Sifuna’s political train had already left the station.
“Upon the review of the documents submitted by the party and lack of response from Sifuna, we note that the removal of the Secretary General was in line with the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution. This office has effected the change and updated the party records,” it read in parts.
Ida’s appeal that fell on deaf ears
Mama Ida Odinga recently appealed to the party leadership not to kill the party and asked the party leadership to prioritise dialogue over wrangles to avoid disintegration and to preserve Raila’s legacy.
“It is my wish that we can preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to our country. I want to appeal to those Baba left in the leadership of the party to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and for our country,” she said.
Ida challenged the current leaders in the party to give dialogue a chance and follow Raila’s footsteps in resolving disputes in the party.
“Let us support the problems of the party by always asking ourselves, what would Baba do under these circumstances? I guess your guess is as good as mine. I am sure Baba would tell us, ‘Let us sit down and talk.’ And I am sure that is my wish: to sit down and talk our differences,” she said.
Earlier, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch had petitioned the party organs to take disciplinary action against Sifuna over his stand on the broad-based alliance.
The Luhya declaration, June 26th
The June 26th 2026, on a Sunday in Bungoma County, will mark a new political dispensation for the Luhya community.
A homecoming for Sifuna and a day Luhya elders and the community will converge to bless and release him to the world to seek the presidency.
Trans Nzoia Governor, after a recent meeting, announced the homecoming and the important ceremony for Sifuna by the community before he goes out to seek the presidency.
He said the Bungoma homecoming rally will be used to unveil Sifuna’s presidential intent and undergo blessing from the community elders and leadership.
“We will be in Bungoma for a homecoming. All leaders will converge in Bungoma on that day. In Bungoma, the elders will bless our son, Sifuna, to go out in search of the presidency,” he said.
