Embakasi North Member of Parliament (MP) James Gakuya has stated that Nairobi politics cannot be complete without its senator, Edwin Sifuna.

While speaking during an interview on the Vitu Kwa Ground YouTube podcast aired on Friday, January 16, 2025, he explained that Sifuna has a big say in city politics.

In recent days Sifuna was staring at a possible ouster from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) before the intervention of top figures, among them Ida Odinga, the spouse of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Gakuya, who is eyeing the gubernatorial seat in the city, went on to state that personally, he has no animosity towards Edwin Sifuna at all. He added that despite them being on different political sides currently, Sifuna will remain his senator in Nairobi.

On his party leader Rigathi Gachagua welcoming Sifuna to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), should the onslaught meted out on him by a section of ODM leaders allied to the broad-based government continue, Gakuya welcomed him to the DCP, saying no team would turn away a “big fish” like Sifuna and urged him to join the party.

“Ukweli wa mambo ni kuwa hakuna mtu hataki samaki mkubwa, na Sifuna si samaki mdogo. Sifuna akitimuliwa kwa chama cha ODM, sisi tuko tayari kumpokea. Na mimi kama mwana-Nairobi, siasa za Nairobi haziwezi noga vizuri bila usemaji wa Sifuna. Ni mtetezi wa wanyonge, na mimi binafsi sina shida naye kabisa.”

ODM joining the opposition

 He also explained why the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should team up with the United Opposition ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

While speaking during the same podcast, the outspoken lawmaker called upon the Orange party to join the United Opposition so that they can form a formidable team capable of defeating President William Ruto, who is seeking a second term in 2027, at the ballot.

“Kuliko ODM ipokonywe na William Ruto itumike vile anataka kuitumia, ikiwa sasa hivi ODM ambayo imebaki leo ikishikana na wale wengine wa opposition team ili wajenge team moja yenye nguvu itakayomng’oa William Ruto na isimupe nguvu kusurvive muhula ingine,” Gakuya explained.

Consequences

He explained that with the current state of ODM, which is divided on which direction to take in 2027, some members want it to support President William Ruto for his re-election, others are opposed, and another faction is pushing for the party to field a presidential candidate.

Gakuya says that going ahead to field a presidential candidate would create a third force that would weaken the opposition and give the president an easier victory in 2027.