ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna is facing growing pressure to resign following his recent public comments expressing confusion over the party’s agreement with the ruling UDA Party.
The latest call for his resignation came Tuesday from Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, who took to X to demand that Sifuna step down or be removed from his roles as Secretary General and Senate Minority Leader.
Kaluma accused Sifuna of dividing the party and likened his conduct to that of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
“Sifuna smells like Gachagua. He must resign or be thrown out of the ODM Party. The faster this happens, the better,” Kaluma posted.
Kaluma also confirmed that he had formally written to ODM party leader Raila Odinga, urging him to act decisively and let Sifuna go.
The remarks come just hours after Sifuna, flanked by ODM heavyweights including Raila Odinga, Junet Mohamed, and Rosa Mbuyu, confirmed in a live televised address that ODM was in a formal agreement with UDA, a move that contradicted his earlier statement on Citizen TV that the deal was unclear and not being followed.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma during a past media presser. Photo: Peter Kaluma Source: Facebook
Despite mounting backlash, Sifuna has maintained that only Raila Odinga has the authority to remove him.
“If the person who gave me this position calls me today and says, Sifuna, I have lost confidence in you, I would relinquish it without blinking,” Sifuna said in response to critics. “I have not given up on ODM. I still believe Baba knows what’s right and will do the right thing.”
Raila Odinga has since defended Sifuna’s remarks, emphasizing that ODM is a democratic party where differing views are allowed and encouraged.
“Everybody has a right to speak their mind. If you differ with Sifuna, then speak out. That’s democracy,” Raila told reporters.
Tensions have been rising within ODM as the public and grassroots supporters continue to express confusion over the party’s evolving relationship with UDA. Sifuna’s dual stance critical in media interviews but supportive in party forums, has left him vulnerable to attacks from both allies and opponents.
The situation remains fluid as ODM supporters and leaders await a clear direction from Raila Odinga.