NAIROBI, Kenya-Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has defended Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna following attacks by Oketch Salah.
Ruth, who is also the late Raila Odinga’s sister, emphasized that Sifuna, like other leaders, was a political son of her brother.
“Talking of Baba’s sons, Nairobi Senator and ODM SG, Edwin Sifuna was equally his son and used to talk to him,” she said in a statement.
Ruth added that, “Sifuna used to talk to Raila, just as others did. No one should claim to have been closer to Raila than everyone else.”
Focus on Party Strength and Unity
She warned against internal divisions and urged ODM members to remain focused on the party’s principles, particularly the 10-point agenda of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
The Kisumu Woman Representative stressed that negotiations ahead of the 2027 elections should not come at the expense of party strength.
“If we are to join government, what would be the conditions? We risk negotiating ourselves to oblivion if we don’t work on party strength,” she said.
Protecting ODM’s Legacy
Ruth also cautioned against attempts to “sell” the party.
She said some people had already sold ODM and been given timelines for the completion of the transaction.
She emphasized that the party’s stature must remain intact, as its foundation was built on sacrifices, detentions, and lives lost during the struggle for multiparty democracy.
“Do not sell the ODM Party. Some people have already sold it and have been given timelines for the completion of the transaction,” she revealed.
