Apologize! Sifuna blasts Duale for likening ODM party, Catholic church to a cult

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna now wants Garissa Township MP Aden Duale to apologize for his remarks that linked the ODM party and the Catholic church to a cult.

In a message that he wrote on his Twitter handle, Sifuna said Duale’s statement is an affront to the freedom of worship and association.

Sifuna condemned Duale for his remarks saying the MP’s remarks are unpalatable.

“As an ODM party life member and fully baptized and confirmed member of the Catholic Church, I take great exception to the comparison by Duale of these institutions with cults. Duale must apologize and forthwith respect each one’s freedom of association and worship,” Sifuna tweeted.

In an interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, August 11, Duale said ODM Party is like a cult since it has structures that must be followed without negotiation.

He compared the management of the Raila Odinga-led party to a Catholic church where he claimed the Pope’s word is final.

He said lack of freedom of expression in the Orange Party is what made him quit since members are not authorized to speak their minds to the disadvantage of the party leader.

“I was among the people who were among the founding members of ODM and that is why I had to leave in 2009. ODM is a cult, nobody can speak; It is like a Catholic church where if the Pope speaks, it is final. It has structures but Jubilee is a democratic party,” he said.

Duale was responding to a question regarding a section of MPs from the Tanga Tanga faction abusing President Uhuru Kenyatta yet he is their party leader.

The leaders in question include Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro among others.