Orange Democratic Movement Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has reiterated calls for politicians from the western region to close ranks and forge a common political path.

Speaking in an economic empowerment forum that drew politicians from the opposition and pro-government legislators in Bumula Constituency on Sunday, June 15, 2025, the senator dismissed the notion that a section of leaders from the region will never see eye to eye politically.

He affirmed that it was time for the region to come together for a common political good.

“We have a problem here in Western. Others in their region have already come together and ventured to go looking for cousins. Here, we are not even talking to our brothers. We have reached a point where we have to end that notion that we can’t sit together and speak on issues affecting our region as brothers,” he stated.

“We have to sit down and address these issues that some politicians cannot share a table. Let’s agree it’s time we engage each other as brothers. Let’s disagree while in the same house before we venture out to look for cousins and in-laws,” he added.

The senator also doubled down on his opposition to the privatisation of the Nzoia Sugar factory, among other state-owned milling companies in the large western part of the county.

Speaking on the controversial leasing of the firms, Sifuna took a veiled jibe at an unnamed politician whom he chided for his disparaging remarks at a past function.

“I am a boy from Kitinda here in Kanduyi Constituency, and we have been sugarcane farmers. I hear these days you only speak on sugarcane matters if you are a farmer, and that if you plant sunflowers, you should not speak on sugarcane farming. I have said we can’t allow our farms and companies to be sold. They are now saying it will come back. They come with the same tactic and are in Nzoia.

“As a farmer, I condemn the theft that has taken place there. Ruto promised to bring a new machine. These people have not rejected the machines; the president should bring the machines here and not sell the firm,” he stated.

Also present at the event were Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, his Kimilili and Kabuchai counterparts Didmus Barasa and Majimbo Kalasinga respectively, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Ososti, and Ugenya MP David Ochieng, among others.