Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala has appealed to ODM Party leader Raila Odinga to rein in Luo-Nyanza leaders calling for Senator Edwin Sifuna’s resignation from his role as the Secretary-General of the party.
Speaking during the ODM delegates conference in Kakamega on Friday, July 25, 2025, Wanjala indicated that the Luo-Nyanza leaders should know that ODM is no longer a tribal party, but one that enjoys a national membership and following.
“This ODM party is very big, and it enjoys the membership of all Kenyans. When we were with you at the burial of the late Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, you told our in-laws- the Luos, that Edwin Sifuna is the spokesman of the party and that when he speaks, that is the position of the party,” Wanjala said.
He urged Raila to speak to the leaders in a language they understand, stating that such remarks on resignation could occasion a widespread walkout from the party, leaving it without support.
“I want you to go back to Nyanza and speak to them in vernacular that the ODM party is not a party for Luos. It is a party for all Kenyans. When one stands to speak and tells others to exit the party because of their tribe, what will become of ODM when we all leave?” Wanjala posed.
He equally noted that Sifuna should be protected from leaders attempting to hound him out of the party.
“We are advanced in age now and we intend to leave the likes of Sifuna to take over leadership of our region; we won’t allow anyone to dim his star. We want you to protect Sifuna from our brothers; he is not against the party; he is just trying to bring it back on track,” Wanjala remarked.
Sifuna’s remarks on the death of the broad-based government sparked widespread criticism from a section of ODM leaders from Nyanza region, who castigated him over what they term going against the party’s position on the UDA-ODM agreement.
