Atwoli asks Raila to tell Sifuna to leave for opposing ODM’s stance
By Lutta Njomo, July 26, 2025Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna is still attracting backlash and support in equal measure following his tell-it-all interview, where he poured cold water on the cooperation between the opposition party and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The latest to add weight to Sifuna’s sentiments is the Secretary-General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), Francis Atwoli.
Speaking on Saturday, July 26, 2025, the unionist implored former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to compel Sifuna to tear the line or carry his paraphernalia and leave the party.
Atwoli expressed concern over Sifuna’s remarks, indicating that he was directly opposing Raila and contradicting ODM’s stance on working with President William Ruto’s administration.
“Raila aambie huyu mtoto anaitwa Sifuna, kama amechoka na chama chake aondoke. Awache kupinga Raila na ako katika chama chake,” Atwoli said.
Loosely translated as:
“I want to take this opportunity to ask my in-law, Raila Amollo Odinga, to tell this child called Sifuna that if he is tired of the party, he should leave and stop opposing Raila. He should stop opposing the stance taken by the party.”
Their encounter in Kakamega
Atwoli’s sentiments came hours after he attended the ODM delegates conference in Kakamega, where he came face to face with Sifuna. At the event, Atwoli made a candid admission that he was ready to confront Sifuna for contradicting ODM leader Raila Odinga over the party’s MoU with UDA, only to change his mind after witnessing the overwhelming support Sifuna enjoys at the grassroots.
“Sasa sikilizeni, hata mimi sikujua mko namna hii. Mheshimiwa Sifuna, Juzi karibu niulize Baba, lakini Baba alikuwa nje. Baada ya kumsikiliza Sifuna kwa TV, nikasema ‘why is this young man contradicting the party leader?’ Kumbe sikujua ni nyinyi mko nyuma ya Sifuna. Leo ndio nimejua,” he said.
Loosely translated to:
“Now listen, even I didn’t know you were like this. Honourable Sifuna, the other day I almost asked Baba, but Baba was out of the country. After I heard Sifuna on TV, I asked myself….Turns out I didn’t know you people are the ones backing Sifuna. Today I have come to understand.”
Raila backs Sifuna
During the same event, Raila made it clear that Sifuna had a right of expression as enshrined in the ODM constitution. Nonetheless, he promised to answer the Nairobi senator through proper party channels.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Raila decried being misquoted, insisting that what Sifuna said was his opinion.