Sunday 23rd February, 2025 06:32 PM|

Migori Senator Gicheru Oketch has condemned Makadara MP George Aladwa for his recent attack on Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

Oketch, a member of the ODM Party, has called for unity within the party amid reports of internal strife.

In a statement shared on his X account on Sunday, February 23, 2025, Oketch dismissed Aladwa’s remarks as unwarranted and emphasized the need for cohesion within the party.

He stressed the importance of maintaining cohesion within ODM, particularly at a time when differing views have emerged regarding the party’s engagement with the Kenya Kwanza (KK) administration.

Oketch defended Sifuna against Aladwa’s criticism noting that his commitment to ODM is beyond question. He argued that internal conflicts should not arise from individual opinions on ODM’s approach to its relationship with KK and President William Ruto.

According to Oketch, ODM has not adopted an official stance on how it should engage with the ruling coalition and any current interactions with KK are based on the personal perspectives of party leaders regarding broader cooperation.

“The attack on SG Sifuna by Hon Aladwa is completely uncalled for. It’s wrong to attack a man whose dedication to the party is unquestionable. To be clear, there is no established ODM party position as regards how we relate with KK. The attitude of ODM leaders towards KK and the President is currently based on individual judgment of the broad-based cooperation. We should not fight within the party because of any individual opinions,” Oketch stated.

Aladwa, who serves as ODM’s Nairobi branch chairperson, had earlier suggested that Sifuna could be ousted for what he termed as disloyalty to the party. Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi on Saturday, February 22, 2025, Aladwa accused Sifuna of being a mole within the party, suggesting that he had shown intentions of aligning with opposing voices, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

“I want to warn Sifuna, who refers to himself as the Secretary General of ODM, that we have had many SGs who were way more powerful like Ababu Namwamba and the rest. Even him, he will go the way Ababu did,” Aladwa stated.

His remarks followed Sifuna’s recent appearance at a church service in Kawangware, where he was seen alongside opposition figures Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa; both of whom have previously expressed a willingness to collaborate with Gachagua.

Aladwa further accused Sifuna of working with Gachagua, referencing the former DP’s impeachment process.

“He is being used by Gachagua. Even during the impeachment of the former DP, he brought us a lot of trouble. He just voted because people were voting, and we know that he is their preferred candidate for the Governor’s seat here in Nairobi,” Aladwa claimed.