Wamuzi News Ke
In an unexpected turn at ODM’s Kakamega delegates conference, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli conceded that he was forced to temper criticism of ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna’s blunt declaration that the ODM-UDA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was “dead.”
Atwoli admitted he had planned to challenge Sifuna’s stance—but changed course after witnessing overwhelming grassroots support for the young politician.Inside radio footage, party voices erupted in applause as Sifuna offered a fiery defense of his position, prompting Atwoli to admit:
“I didn’t realize how strong the support behind Sifuna was. I nearly confronted the party leader, but the delegates showed me I had misjudged the mood.”
Earlier this week, Sifuna publicly declared he had withdrawn from MoU review talks, branding the agreement morally void following unresolved issues like extrajudicial killings and unabated police brutality.
Declaring “I’m no mortician, the MoU is dead,” he renewed pressure on ODM leadership to formally disengage from what he described as a failed pact.While party hardliners like Suna East MP Junet Mohamed called Sifuna’s remarks reckless, Sifuna insisted that the pact undermined ODM’s core principles—and that party has the right to self-correct.
Atwoli’s acknowledgment—coming from someone long known as a Raila Odinga loyalist—marks a pivotal moment: even established guardians of party discipline are now bowing to internal mandate.ODM leader Raila Odinga remained measured: “If Sifuna has spoken, he has every right… If you disagree, speak too.”
His endorsement of free debate signals rare latitude for internal fault-lines to surface without risking outright purge.Political strategists say the Kakamega showdown, spotlighting clashes between traditional power structures and energetic youth politics, reflects deeper identity tensions in ODM.
The grassroots roar backing Sifuna signals that a faction aligned with principle-based opposition—not transactional collaboration—is ascending.The ripple effects of this dramatic clash are already being felt. Will ODM recalibrate as a distinct opposition party, or re-engage with UDA under clearer terms?
As factions align and delegates give voice, one thing is certain: Sifuna’s bold narrative is reshaping ODM from the ground up—and even seasoned figures like Atwoli are finding they can no longer ignore the tide of fresh momentum.
