Vihiga Senator and ODM Deputy Party Leader, Godfrey Osotsi, has lifted the lid on what he describes as behind-the-scenes manoeuvres that led to the controversial removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Panafric hotel on Thursday, Osotsi claimed he had previously raised concerns that ODM was being “remote-controlled” and said recent events had reinforced his fears.
“I raised an alarm that ODM was being remote controlled,” Osotsi said.
He alleged that last Friday he received a call from Kakamega Governor Gladys Wanga, who he said subsequently contacted ODM chairperson Oburu Odinga and helped arrange a meeting for Monday.
Osotsi said he attended the meeting — which he claimed took place at Hon. Bosire’s house — and was surprised by what he described as plans for consultations at State House.
“I am surprised that Hon. Oburu told us that they will consult… to consult Ruto at State House at night,” he said.
Osotsi claimed the party had agreed that a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting would be postponed, but that the plan changed after Oburu consulted the President.
“We agreed that the NEC meeting would be delayed until further notice,” Osotsi said. “Oburu consulted President William Ruto and carried on with the NEC meeting in Mombasa.”
The ODM deputy party leader called on members to stand firm against alleged interference from the government, saying the party’s leadership must not be reshaped through external pressure.
“I want to call upon the membership of this party to stand firm and resist the efforts by Ruto to take over the party in a hostile manner,” he said.
Osotsi also defended ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, insisting he would not support any move to remove him.
“Sifuna is going nowhere. If Sifuna goes, I will also go,” Osotsi said, adding that party members would continue to recognise Sifuna as the legitimate secretary-general.
He further claimed there were individuals within ODM whom he described as an “axis of evil” assisting the President to wreck the party from within.
Osotsi said ODM leaders allied to his position would begin a series of party engagements over the weekend, with meetings planned in Kitengela, Kakamega and Busia, as part of what he described as efforts to protect the legacy of ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
At the same briefing, Sifuna who was removed as the secretary general of the ODM party on Wednesday mainted that the removal was unprocedural.
He vowed to fight back the ouster, insisting that he is the legally elected Secretary General.
