Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who doubles up as the Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), on Friday, May 9, 2025, disclosed that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga refused to promote him in recent party changes.

Speaking during the funeral service of the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, Sifuna noted that he approached Raila and asked him to consider him for promotion.

Specifically, Sifuna indicated that he asked Raila to consider him for a deputy party position in ODM.

However, Sifuna told the mourners that Raila refused to grant him his wish but directed him to retain his secretary-general post.

Why he was picked ODM SG

At the same time, Edwin revealed that, up to date, Raila had never intimated to him why he was picked as ODM secretary general.

However, he expressed optimism that Raila would one day explain why he settled on him as ODM spokesperson.

“I want to tell you, let everyone perform his duties. One day, Raila will come and tell me why he picked as ODM Secretary General because he has never informed me,” Sifuna stated.

“Recently, when we had some openings, Gladys Wanga, you are aware because you were present, I asked Raila to promote me as deputy party leader. Raila refused and ordered that I retain my position,” he disclosed.

“I believe one day, he will tell me why he said I should retain my position as ODM Secretary General.”

He was appointed ODM SG in 2018 to replace Ababu Namwamba,, who defected from the Orange party in 2016.

ODM settled on governors Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi as its deputy party leaders. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga was picked to replace John Mbadi as the national chairman.

Sen. Sifuna: Bado ODM ina uwezo wa kuunda serikali. Katibu mkuu wa chama akisema kwamba, "mimi sitounga mtu mwingine mkono bali Baba Raila Amolo Odinga," Katibu amekosea? pic.twitter.com/Ko9r5q8d6D

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) May 9, 2025

Not in government

While mourning Charles Were, Sifuna asked ODM members to remain loyal to the party. He praised the deceased, indicating that he stood firm by ODM principles.

He thus maintained that ODM was not in government and Raila had not granted him permission to defend the Kenya Kwanza’s proj