Sifuna Reveals Three Persons He Could Have Proposed to Take Over Raila’s ODM Party Leader Seat Instead of Oburu

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has spoken publicly about the controversy surrounding the appointment of Oburu Odinga as acting party leader, revealing that he had different proposals on how the position should have been handled.

Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Tuesday night, Sifuna said the process used to appoint Oburu Odinga did not follow the procedures outlined in the ODM party constitution. 

According to him, the matter should have been handled in a more structured and consultative way to avoid internal disagreements.

Sifuna explained that if he had been present at the meeting that discussed the leadership transition, he would have proposed that the three deputy party leaders temporarily hold the position on a rotational basis. 

He named Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi as the leaders he believed were best placed to take up the responsibility for a limited period.

According to Sifuna, each of the three deputy party leaders could have served for one month, allowing the party time to organize a Special National Delegates Convention (NDC) to officially select a substantive party leader within three months, as guided by the party constitution.

The Secretary General also revealed that he was not present when the decision to appoint Oburu Odinga was made. 

He said that at the time of the meeting, he had been assigned to travel to India as part of a delegation tasked with bringing back the body of the late Raila Odinga. Because of this assignment, he was unable to participate in the discussions or offer his views on the leadership transition.

Sifuna expressed disappointment that he was not consulted during the process, saying that as Secretary General, he expected to be involved in such a major decision affecting the party’s leadership structure.

He further emphasized that political parties must strictly follow their constitutions to maintain order, transparency, and unity among members. 

He warned that ignoring laid-down procedures can create unnecessary divisions and weaken party structures.

The debate over ODM’s leadership transition has continued to spark reactions among party members and political observers. 

Some leaders have defended the decisions taken, saying they were necessary to ensure continuity, while others have called for adherence to constitutional procedures to safeguard the party’s democratic traditions.