Atandi dismisses Sifuna’s remarks as noise, commits to working with Ruto
By Lutta Njomo, July 27, 2025Alego Usonga, Member of Parliament, Samuel Atandi, on Saturday, July 26, 2025, dismissed Edwin Sifuna’s remarks during a TV interview as mere noise.
Addressing his constituents, Atandi, who doubles up as Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, insisted that Sifuna’s rants would not deter the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in their resolve to work with President William Ruto.
Atandi directly informed Sifuna that their ties with Ruto were unstoppable, no matter how much he talks and discredits the arrangement under the broad-based government.
The lawmaker further warned the Nairobi senator against lecturing them, maintaining that they were aware of the direction the country was taking and that was why they were strongly behind Ruto’s government.
“Our friendship with Ruto is unstoppable. Whether you are an activist or a senator from Nairobi and you are making noise that is your business,” Atandi stated.
“Our friendship with Ruto is unstoppable because as elected leaders we have brains and we know where the country is coming from and where it is going so when we make a decision to work with the president, you cannot come and lecture us,” he insisted.
“Don’t lecture because you think you know better English, and it is unstoppable; it is going to happen.”
Battle lines drawn
The latest sentiments continue to point to a possible fallout within the ODM party. During the delegates’ conference in Kakamega on Saturday, July 25, 2025, a section of leaders from Western Kenya defended Sifuna and warned against plans to ouster him.
On the other side, leaders from other parts of the country led calls for Sifuna to be dropped as ODM secretary general.
Nonetheless, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Sifuna has the right of expression but hinted at convening a leadership meeting to respond to his claims.
“Everybody has a right to speak their mind, that is what ODM stands for. There will be difference of opinions. Kama Sifuna ameongea, ako na haki ya kuongea. Kama wewe unatofautiana na yeye kimaoni, sema yako…hiyo ndio demokrasia. Mimi sijasema ati wewe usiongee kwa chama, sema ata kama unaona Baba anafanya makosa. Wanachama wa ODM wakisema Baba amechoka arudi Bondo, bas!” He said.
“Sifuna akiongea, mimi siwezi jibu yeye kwa gazeti, nangoja tuende naye kwa mkutano ya Central Committee ama National Executive Committee. Tunaenda tunakaa kila mtu anasema yake. Tukimaliza namna hii, (tunamuambia) bwana Sifuna ongea na waandishi wa habari, yeye ndio mouthpiece ya chama. Yale maneno yote ambayo Sifuna amesema, wengine wameongea…yote sisi tutaketi chini kama chama na mtaskia matamshi yetu, uamuzi wa chama kamili!”