Nairobi County Senator Edwin Sifuna has stated that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) remains an opposition party, contrary to what Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said.

Speaking during a live interview with a local radio station on Friday, September 6, 2024, Sifuna disclosed that ODM is a minority party in both the national assembly and the senate, adding that the party will continue to execute the role of the opposition. 

“ODM remains an opposition party; we are a member of the minority party in the national assembly and the Senate, and we will continue to execute our role in that capacity,” he said.

Additionally, the ODM Secretary General told of naysayers who are pushing the party into the government and out of the Azimio coalition. 

“I have seen efforts by others to push us into government; others are pushing us out of other things; I have seen some people saying ODM must now leave Azimio, “Sifuna added.

Gachagua’s take

Gachagua, while speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, September 5, 2024, during an induction workshop for the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings, said that leaders from ODM who were appointed to President William Ruto’s cabinet are now obligated to support his views and decisions.

The DP emphasised that those ODM leaders are now part of the government and must align with the administration’s agenda.

“Rais wetu William Ruto aliunda serikali ya kila mtu na hapa Pwani mkafaidika sana. Mkapata Waziri Salim Mvurya, Waziri Ali Hassan Joho sasa wale watu mlikuwa ODM mko ndani ya serikali sasa. Hii maneno nasema hapa muunge mkono. Hiyo ndiyo kazi ya kuwa kwa serikali. Ile tunasema hapa mnaunga mkono,” Gachagua said.

Additionally, the second in command stated that the coastal region which is perceived as stronghold of the ODM party is now part and parcel of the government and that they should no longer complain of marginalization.

“We are happy that everybody is part of the government. The coast region now you are right in the centre of government, you can no longer complain of marginalization, you are part and parcel of government.”