The newly appointed coordinator of the Protest Victims Compensation Plan, Makau Mutua, has called on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to resign from his position as ODM Secretary-General, describing his current position as untenable within the party structure.

In a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Mutua suggested that resignation would be the principled course of action for Sifuna given his current circumstances.

“My good learned friend and Senator Edwin Sifuna appears to be in an untenable position as SG of ODM party,” Mutua stated.

The constitutional lawyer framed resignation as a matter of principle, arguing that it would represent the honourable path forward for the Nairobi Senator.

“It seems to me that the honourable thing for him to do if he’s a man of principle is resign his post, which almost never happens in Kenya, unless one is sacked,” he noted.

Sifuna’s sharp response

Sifuna responded swiftly to Mutua’s call for his resignation, dismissing the suggestion while redirecting focus to what he described as more pressing issues.

In a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Sifuna challenged Mutua’s priorities, referencing his current role in government.

“Omwami you have the unenviable task of determining the value of the lives of the young people your new friends killed and compensate their families,” Sifuna responded, using the Luhya term for “gentleman.”

The Senator suggested that Mutua should focus on his official duties rather than commenting on ODM’s internal affairs.

“One would imagine that crown to be so heavy as not to allow the wearer time for anything else, let alone worrying about the SG of ODM, who isn’t even your friend,” he added.

Resignation stance

Speaking at Asiyo’s memorial on August 6, 2025, Sifuna drew inspiration from the life of the late Phoebe Asiyo to explain his warning of potentially leaving the ODM party if they endorse President William Ruto’s re-election in the 2027 polls.

He recalled how Asiyo had once threatened to resign when her principles were being compromised.

“I was very happy to hear that at some point, the late Mama Phoebe Asiyo threatened to resign because things were not going the way that she thought they should go,” Sifuna said during his tribute.

The Senator emphasised the importance of taking principled stands when faced with situations that contradict one’s values, drawing parallels between Asiyo’s approach and contemporary political challenges.

“When things are going badly, you have a responsibility to put down your foot and say, ‘This is not who we are. This is not what we stand for. These are not our values,’” he added.