Lawyer Nelson Havi has defended Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna against allegations that he is a mole within the party.

The accusations came from Oketch Salah, a close ally and adopted son of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who claimed that the veteran leader viewed Sifuna as a mole.

Mole in ODM?

In a statement posted on his X account on Friday, December 26, 2025, Havi argued that the Nairobi Senator is far from being a mole and instead plays a far more significant role in the party—one comparable to that of an elephant.

The controversy stems from bold claims made by Salah on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

Priding himself on his closeness to Raila, Salah accused the ODM Secretary-General of blatant revolt through his public statements, alleging that Sifuna was deliberately taking dissenting positions against the party’s official lines and agreed decisions.

According to Salah, Raila had confided in him that he was closely monitoring Sifuna, as the senator’s political moves suggested he might be working for forces on the opposing side of the political divide.

Raila reportedly chose not to intervene directly, believing Sifuna should instead face the consequences of his own actions.

Salah on Sifuna

“One thing that Raila once told me that I have now seen happening is about Sifuna. He once told me to forget about Sifuna, saying he was closely observing him and that he might be someone’s mole, and it has now begun to show. Sifuna has begun to show that indeed he was being used by someone, just like Raila told me,” Salah said.

Salah also accused the senator of disrespecting Oburu Oginga, the new ODM party leader, by issuing ultimatums to him.

He described Sifuna’s remarks as disrespectful and questioned whether the senator would have dared to address the late Raila Odinga in the same manner.

Salah concluded with a plea for unconditional support for Oburu Oginga as the new interim party leader agreed upon by the party.