Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugeen Wamalwa has stated that his Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) Secretary General, Eseli Simiyu, has agreed to step down from his position and allow Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to take over the role should he be chased from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the outspoken politician said that after assessing the popularity and potential of Sifuna, Simiyu agreed that should Sifuna’s position in ODM become untenable, he should join DAP-K, take over the role, and continue performing the duties of secretary general, just as he has been doing while in the Orange party.

Wamalwa added that he has also personally reached out to Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who, like Edwin Sifuna, has agreed to join his party should things go south in the ODM party.

The former defence minister continued, stating that he has been wooing those aligned with the broad-based coalition from his community to join his party and the United Opposition camp.

Wamalwa went ahead to predict a looming split within ODM, saying that, just like the Titanic, which was praised by its engineers as unsinkable but eventually sank after hitting an iceberg, that will also be the case in ODM.

He says this is why he is slowly courting ODM rebels, especially those from his region, to join his outfit, as he believes it represents the aspirations of the entire Mulembe region.

“I have talked to Sifuna and Osotsi, and they have assured me that should things go bad in ODM, they will join DAP-K. My secretary general in DAP-K, Eseli Simiyu, has accepted to step down and leave the SG position to Sifuna should he be chased out of ODM, because of the potential Sifuna has,” Wamalwa said.

Wamalwa-Oparanya meetings

He also confided that he has reached out to the Co-operatives’ Cabinet Secretary, Wickliffe Oparanya, and they have been holding a series of meetings, which have sparked reactions from observers suggesting that Wamalwa might join the broad-based coalition.

He denied this, saying instead that these meetings are part of an ongoing agenda informing his frequent talks with Oparanya, where he has been urging him that should things go haywire in the Orange party, he should leave it and join DAP-K, a party that, according to Eugene, Oparanya was also at the centre of its formation.

Wamalwa further added that the region cannot wait until 2032, as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula desire, saying that 2027 is the opportune time for the Mulembe region to take over the power it has long desired.