NAIROBI, Kenya- Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has revealed that he was removed from an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) WhatsApp group following a Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitale, saying the move underscored the growing fallout between him and the party leadership.
Speaking during a televised interview, Sifuna, who is also a principal in the Linda Mwananchi movement, said the development came shortly after the rally.
“It is clear that those in the ODM leadership are done with us. After we finished our rally in Kitale, I just saw us being removed from the ODM WhatsApp group,” Sifuna said.
He also disclosed that there were plans to move him to the Fisheries Committee, a move he said some viewed as punishment.
“They even want to move me to the Fisheries Committee, which they think is a punishment, but I actually need to learn about that too,” he said.
Sifuna’s remarks come amid widening differences between him and sections of the ODM leadership over his participation in the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has intensified its criticism of President William Ruto’s administration.
During the interview, the Nairobi Senator defended the movement’s push for political change, arguing that leadership should be judged by adherence to constitutional values rather than infrastructure projects alone.
“When we were kicking out Moi, why were we saying he must go? It is not because he did not build stadiums. Moi built Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium, and after that no one has ever built. This Talanta is going to be the next one,” he said.
He argued that Kenyans were demanding governance anchored on the Constitution’s values of human rights, democracy, the rule of law, social justice, equity and equality.
Sifuna also identified corruption as a major impediment to investment and job creation, saying some investors encounter demands for bribes before they can begin projects.
“Corruption is such a major obstacle to job creation that investors often complain that, before they even break ground on a project, leaders are already hustling them for a direct bribe or a share in the business, and told they won’t be able to do business if you don’t accede to that request,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, Sifuna urged Kenyans to focus less on who occupies the top positions and more on the policies a new administration would implement.
“Kenyans are increasingly saying, Sifuna, we are on the same page that Ruto needs to go… We need to have a team in power that will cut government spending so that we are able to deal with taxation,” he said.
“I want people to move away from this fascination with who is going to be number one or two. We want to be able to tell you that this is the country you will wake up to on August 11, 2027.”
