Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has sparked fresh controversy within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) by accusing Secretary General Edwin Sifuna of showing blatant disrespect toward acting Party Leader Oburu Oginga.

In a post on X on Thursday, Alai wrote: “Yaani Sifuna amedharau our Party Leader mpaka our party leader is reduced to engaging junior party leaders like Sifuna through press conferences?”

The tweet referenced a detailed statement issued earlier by Oburu, responding to Sifuna’s remarks during a February 3 interview on a local TV station.

Dispute over party appointments and coalition strategy

Alai, a known internal critic within ODM, suggested that Sifuna’s public criticism had forced Oburu into the undignified position of defending party decisions through a formal statement.

In the interview, Sifuna questioned the legitimacy of certain party appointments, including Oburu’s installation as interim leader following Raila Odinga’s transition to the African Union Commission chairmanship.

Sifuna also cautioned against early coalition talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that such discussions could compromise ODM’s ideological stance. Oburu’s response pushed back firmly, stressing that party policy is determined by constitutionally mandated organs, not by individual opinions.

Sifuna criticised the focus on regional representation in appointments, arguing that discussions had shifted from principles to claims about which regions benefit from government positions. He expressed concern that the debate was being framed around tribal lines rather than merit or fairness.

He also accused some leaders of adopting a transactional approach to power, comparing their behaviour to the language of dividing resources into shares. According to Sifuna, those who had previously criticised such practices were now engaging in similar conduct after experiencing government power.

Oburu defends party principles and calls for discipline

Oburu highlighted inconsistencies in Sifuna’s positions, noting that the Secretary General himself was elected through the same National Governing Council processes he now appeared to question. “One cannot selectively invalidate the very processes that conferred legitimacy upon oneself,” he said.

He also pointed out that in July 2025, Sifuna had advocated for timely planning on coalition strategy, contrasting with his recent stance.

The leader reaffirmed ODM’s commitment to social democracy, equity, justice, devolution, and constitutionalism.

He called for responsible debate and party discipline, and stressed that the party remains united, committed to inter-generational dialogue, and ready to engage stakeholders to advance the interests of Kenyans.