Oburu explains why Sifuna and Osotsi missed ODM’s top organ meeting
By Luke Oluoch, January 12, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has shed light on the publicised absence of senior party figures from the Central Committee meeting convened on Monday, January 12, 2025.
Speaking to the presser afterwards, Oburu explained that the two leaders were absent with apologies, with Sifuna as Osotsi missing due to a prior commitment out of the country.
During the meeting, matters of utmost concern regarding the party’s decisions, plans, and direction were discussed.
Absent with apologies
“Honourable Osotsi, who is the Deputy Party Leader (DPL), is in South Africa. He sent his apologies for being unable to attend. He tried to catch a flight to the meeting, but he missed one unfrotuntately,” he confirmed.
“Sifuna also sent his apologies for this meeting; he missed his flight. Both of them have the committee’s permission for failing to attend,” he added.
“Unaashiria kuwa kuna tofauti baina ya members wa party. Hamna, Ile iko in demokrasia ambayo party hii imeruhusu watu koungea maoni tofauti tofauti. Sisi tumeazimia kuendelea kuimarisha hiki chama na kitaendelea kuwa pamoja.”
Among the issues canvassed was a review of the implementation of the 10-point agenda with regard to the compensation of victims of demos and public protests, where the committee resolved that compensation money be channelled through legally recognised institutions.
The party also disclosed initiating pre-2027 structured talks with like-minded parties and potential partners ahead of the next general elections.
His remarks come after he also cleared the air on his absence from the meeting.
In a statement on his media page on Monday, Amollo, who is the party vice chair, stated that he was not obliged to attend by virtue of not being a member of the committee responsible for key party decisions.
“ODM Manenos, may it be known that as Deputy Chair of ODM, I have not boycotted any meeting. I’m not a member of the Central Committee,” Amollo posted on X.
Amollo has been actively involved in quelling the internal disputes. Last week, he released a statement urging Sifuna and MP Junet Mohamed to stop public insults. He also supported pre-election discussions between ODM and Ruto’s UDA party and encouraged Oburu to convene meetings to resolve disputes.