Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has explained why he has decided not to pursue the role of Deputy Party Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and will instead continue in his current position as the party’s Secretary General.
Sifuna had initially aimed to advance to the Deputy Party Leader role, considering it a promotion from his present position.
However, he revealed in an interview on Spice FM that he was advised that some positions within the party are considered too critical to be left vacant.
“I had intended to move from my role as Secretary General to the Deputy Party Leader position, which I viewed as a promotion.
But I’ve been told that certain roles are essential to the party’s core, and vacating them to pursue other positions is not advised,” Sifuna said.
In the same interview, Sifuna addressed concerns about internal discord within the Azimio coalition following the decision for four ODM members to join the government.
He assured that Azimio’s future political prospects would be stronger if its members remained united.
Despite these changes, Sifuna emphasized that ODM would continue its role in holding the government accountable.
Sifuna also addressed speculation about ODM leader Raila Odinga potentially retiring if he were to assume the role of Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
He clarified that while Odinga would take a temporary break from active politics to fulfill his AU duties, it does not signify a permanent retirement.
“Taking on a role that requires significant time away from direct political engagement does not equate to retirement.
It means scaling back temporarily while still being engaged in the broader political landscape,” Sifuna explained.
Having served as ODM Secretary General for six years, a role crucial to the party’s organization, Sifuna confirmed he will continue in this position.
Recently, the ODM party has appointed Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya and Blue Mining counterpart Hassan Ali Joho, along with governors Simba Arati, Abdulswamad Nassir, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, as its new deputy party leaders.