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Siaya County Governor James Orengo has urged leaders in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to uphold the party’s core identity and values.

Orengo made the remarks during the funeral of Roseline Odede, the chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), held in Uyoma, Rarieda Sub-County, on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Orengo emphasized the need for ODM leaders to prioritize principles over convenience, warning of future repercussions if they compromised the party’s values.

He referenced the late Roseline Odede’s courage in standing against human rights abuses, including abductions and extrajudicial killings.

“We (ODM) have an identity. If you lose that identity for easy victories, we are going to pay for it in the future. If you must make compromises, you must make compromises on matters of principle. Do not be part of praise and worship,” he stated.

Adding;

“I want my conscience to be clear. When there were abductions, I said no to that. I am saying this because Roseline, this December, not three years ago, told the government to stop abductions and stop extrajudicial killings. And when she did that, they took away the money for the commission, and workers could not be paid. That is why I am saying, when there is too much sycophancy, people lose sight of their fundamentals.”

Sifuna reprimands ODM leaders

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna also used the platform to express his dissatisfaction with a section of ODM leaders who he said were more focused on aligning with President William Ruto’s government than addressing the plight of ordinary Kenyans. Sifuna lamented that such actions have hindered efforts to hold the government accountable.

“We must stop being sycophants. If something is wrong, it is wrong. I will not participate in the activities of my fellow ODM members who are enjoying the fruits of being in Ruto’s government and are stifling my efforts to call out the government,” he said.

Sifuna reiterated the need to uphold the party’s foundational principles, as envisioned by ODM leader Raila Odinga. 

He disclosed that Odinga had tasked him with preserving ODM’s identity as a symbol of hope for Kenyans, regardless of the outcome of Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

“When you decided to run for the AUC, you told me as the Secretary General of ODM that we must retain the identity of our political party as a beacon of hope for Kenyans. This is what I aspire to do, whether you succeed or not,” Sifuna asserted.