'We are not in negotiations with Ruto's regime' - Sifuna declares ODM's stand on dialogue

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‘We are not in negotiations with Ruto’s regime’ – Sifuna declares ODM’s stand on dialogue

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
1:52 pm

Valerian Khakayi

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has denied claims that the party is in negotiation with the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

In an official letter dated July 23, 2024, Sifuna said that ODM is not desperate to join the national government adding that they are not in talks with the current regime for any coalition or political arrangement.

Sifuna revealed that they will continue to stand with the people and fight for justice and reforms in the country adding that ODM as a party remains committed to its principles.

“A narrative has been woven that ODM is desperate to join the government, as a party, we wish to make it unequivocally clear that we are not in negotiations with the Ruto regime for any coalition or political arrangement, the accusation that the party has prevaricated or flip-flopped on the matter is false,” Sifuna said.

“The ODM Party remains committed to its principles and the ongoing struggle for a better Kenya. We will continue to stand with the people and fight for the justice and reforms our nation desperately needs.”

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.PHOTO/@edwinsifuna/ X

Some ODM members vs Ruto regime

The senator further accused a section of ODM members of misinterpreting the party stance on the multi-sectorial dialogue for their selfish gains.

He added that any party member who makes themselves available for ministerial or any other positions offered by the Kenya Kwanza government will do so without the support of the Party.

“Some of our members have also fallen for the campaign of lies and misinterpreted our stance as a license to engage the Kenya Kwanza leadership and canvass for ministerial and/or other positions in the Ruto government,” Sifuna said.

“Any ODM member who makes themselves available to join the Kenya Kwanza cabinet or any other position should know that they do so without the blessing or support of the party.”

ODM on National dialogue

The SG said ODM has maintained its support of the ongoing struggle to address the demands raised by the anti-government protesters adding that the party’s stand on the proposed national dialogue has been misinterpreted.

“The ODM Party has noted with concern continued attempts to misrepresent its position on the ongoing crisis in the country and specifically on the proposed national dialogue to resolve the same, the party has maintained its unwavering position in support of the ongoing struggle to address the longstanding governance issues as very ably pointed out by Gen Z,” the SG said.

“All along we have been clear that what we seek is a national conversation preceded by the creation of the necessary environment, as a major political player, ODM has repeatedly emphasized that we cannot be mere bystanders when the current situation and future of our nation are at stake.”

Sifuna added that the ODM party leader Raila Odinga on Sunday, July 21, 2024, said that the national conversation would precede through the implementation of the party’s conditions.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Raila Odinga and other ODM members. PHOTO/@TheODMparty/X

He further listed some of the conditions which include, compensation to the families of the victims of the extrajudicial killings, release of all arrested protesters since 2023, prosecution of policemen involved in killing protesters and sacking of the Nairobi Police Commander, Adamson Bungei.

“During our two consecutive Central Committee meetings held on July 2 and July 12, 2024, as well as in H.E. Odinga’s communication on Sunday, July 21, we reiterated this position and asserted that this National Conversation must be preceded by the following preconditions:

“Compensation to the families of the victims of extrajudicial executions and persons injured by the state since last year, the release of all persons in custody and termination of all cases related to protests since last year, prosecution of policemen involved in shooting to kill or maim protestors and the sacking of the Nairobi Police Commander, Adamson Bungei,” he disclosed.