It was shocking beyond belief when I saw a statement from Edwin Sifuna telling Oburu Oginga that he is too old for anything because Oburu was unable to finish a written statement while addressing the broad-based gathering in Naivasha and put down the paper to make his own speech.
“Someone there is telling us that his eyes are failing him mid-speech, and yet he wants to be the President. Where will you be a president? You have seen Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua has read his speech well, and yet someone there is saying the eyes have failed him,” Sifuna said in a rally in Kitui.
Why would a grown-up person like Sifuna who is also trying to be a presidential candidate insult an old man like Oburu and belittle him because of his age. Does Sifuna want Oburu Oginga dead because he is too old to hang on and try to shape things in his country for which he and his family have fought for justice for all Kenyans long before Sifuna was even born.
This is the same Sifuna singing Raila Odinga’s name everywhere all the time as his best friend and here is that Sifuna publicly abusing Raila’s beloved brother to promote his own political ambitions.
Please, Edwin Sifuna, have some dignity and do not give Raila more headaches in his grave at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi because he has enough of that as all politicians just want to talk about him and now his dear brother is too old to live for some people like you? Enough of that already.
Can Edwin Sifuna grow up to be a real presidential candidate? At this time Sifuna needs to stick to the noise making and dancing at rallies and collecting money where nobody even hears what they are saying because opening his mouth to talk could be the worst thing for Sifuna’s hopes until he matures a little bit to be respectful to Kenyans.
This is a part of Sifuna that nobody saw coming and it is too nasty for someone in your position. Keep it low if you don’t mind. At least for now.
Oburu Oginga will not reduce himself to the level of insulting people, but Sifuna has a long way to go and good luck, my friend, because you are a good guy who needs a lot of time and help.
Oburu does not need an apology from Edwin Sifuna for that insult, but Sifuna needs to apologize to himself for reducing the person he is to a very little personality.
This week, President William Ruto and ODM party leader Oburu Oginga were presiding over a joint broad-based parliamentary group meeting in Naivasha, Nakuru county.
Oburu Oginga has been bringing humour and common touch as things role a long on the broad-based government plans for 2027. A few days ago, the ODM leader Oburu Oginga turned everything around when there was too much heat arising from the contest as to who can be William Ruto’s DP candidate in 2027. Oburu told everybody that he was ready to take the DP position and be William Ruto running mate in 2027. Everybody laughed that off because they knew Oburu was taking out the tension building up in the DP contest which may not have been helpful to the team.
Then at the ongoing gathering to sort out how they will run for political offices in 2027, Oburu Oginga told the delegates that he is ready to be the presidential candidate if needed by the team.
Oburu then made fun of President Ruto telling him to his face that he was the lesser devil for them to work with after 2022 elections and that is why they went for the broad-based government because the other devils were worse than William Ruto.
The meeting is being attended by government-allied members of both the Senate and the National Assembly drawn from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
More than 250 MPs and 45 senators are attending the meeting, which brings together legislators from across the political divide.
Also present are members of the Executive, including the Attorney General, Cabinet secretaries, broad-based government governors, parliamentary leadership and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
The retreat provides an opportunity for the political leadership to reflect on the progress of the broad-based government, strengthen unity and align efforts towards advancing its agenda and delivering on the aspirations of Kenyans.
The meeting also offers leaders an opportunity to take stock of the government’s performance and identify areas requiring greater attention during the remaining period of the administration’s first term.
Coming exactly a year before the August 10, 2027 General Election, the meeting also provides a platform for the broad-based government to align its legislative agenda with the electoral calendar and identify policies requiring enactment before the end of the administration’s term.
Ruto and Oburu are also expected to use the forum to rally MPs from both sides to prioritize the development agenda and strategize on how to counter perceived growing opposition wave ahead of the elections.
The meeting comes amid shifting political alliances and intensified jostling for strategic positioning ahead of the post-election period, adding to its significance for leaders who will not be seeking re-election because of constitutional term limits.
“As we look ahead, Your Excellency, we are conscious that the political environment will become increasingly demanding as we approach next year’s elections. Elections are an important part of democracy, but they must never become a source of division that undermines the progress we have made as a country,” host Governor Susan Kihika said in her welcoming remarks.
The broad-based government was formed after former ODM leader Raila Odinga entered into a working partnership with Ruto on March 7, 2025.
Ruto asked the leaders present at the meeting to observe a minute of silence in honour of Odinga.
The former Prime Minister died on October 15, 2025, leading to a change of guard at the helm of ODM, with his brother, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, taking over leadership of the Orange party.
Ruto said the broad-based government had since expanded since it welcomed on board the initial constituent parties, including Chama Cha Kazi and UDM.
“Four years ago, we were very serious competitors and we went into the elections with different plans but converging manifestos,” Ruto said, pointing to what he described as the like-mindedness of the parties.
The President said the broad-based government was now the largest political unit in the country, second only to the grand coalition government formed after the 2007-08 post-election crisis.
“Today, we are going to have a very candid conversation with no notes because we want to have a heart-to-heart candid conversation about where we were, what we have done with the last four years, initially as Kenya Kwanza, subsequently as broad-based government,” he said.
Sifuna to Oburu: Your eyes are failing you yet you want to be President
In the news after Oburu speech in Naivasha, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has took a swipe at ODM party leader Oburu Oginga over his difficulty reading a prepared speech during the ongoing broad-based government meeting in Naivasha.
Speaking on Monday in Kitui, Sifuna questioned Oburu’s presidential ambitions while urging young people to register as voters and take an active role in the country’s leadership.
Sifuna made the remarks while addressing residents in Kitui, where he also praised Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua for delivering his speech.
“Someone there is telling us that his eyes are failing him mid-speech, and yet he wants to be the President. Where will you be a president? You have seen Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua has read his speech well, and yet someone there is saying the eyes have failed him,” he said.
Oburu, who is the ODM party leader, sparked laughter during a broad-based government Parliamentary Group meeting in Naivasha, Nakuru County on Monday, after appearing to struggle to read his prepared speech.
The former Siaya senator briefly attempted to continue with the address before abandoning the script and placing it on the lectern.
Oburu then told those present that he was struggling to read the speech.
“Your Excellency, my eyes are failing me. I will drop this speech,” Oburu said, drawing laughter from the leaders gathered in the hall.
The light moment broke the formality of the meeting before Oburu continued with his address without relying on the written speech.
He went on to reflect on the political changes that have brought former political competitors together under the broad-based government arrangement.
“Two years ago, it would not have been possible to imagine this kind of a mixture in a hall anywhere, because just about two, three years ago, we were serious competitors in a democratic state,” he said.
Oburu said political leaders had previously competed for power but that their political differences did not change their responsibility to the country.
He said ODM had a strong grassroots presence extending to polling stations and joined the government to promote political stability and ensure changes in government are achieved through elections.
“Our party, ODM, is not weak. We came to this coalition not because we are unable to fill the presidential candidate, not because we are not prepared at the grassroots. We are the largest party. We want our country, the government of Kenya, to be changed through a democratic process, through the ballot box,” he said.
Oburu said ODM’s entry into the broad-based government was a deliberate decision to stabilise the country.
He said the leaders had gathered to discuss issues affecting the country and chart a way forward ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Oburu said the meeting would provide an opportunity for leaders to review what had been achieved and discuss plans for the future.
Broad-Based Government media address in Naivasha on Monday, saying the two political formations had also agreed to form a coalition to contest the election together.
“After consultations within our respective parties and formations, the Kenya Kwanza and the ODM have today formally resolved to develop a joint manifesto for the next election and constitute a coalition to contest the 2027 general election together,” Ruto said.
Ruto said the move would formalise the political partnership between Kenya Kwanza and ODM, which began through their cooperation in government. He said the two sides had formally resolved to develop a joint manifesto and establish a coalition to contest the 2027 election together.
“As a partnership in the national interest, must now be given a clear political framework for the future. These decisions mark an important new chapter in our partnership. What began as cooperation in government will now become a common political platform upon which we shall seek the mandate of the Kenyan people in August next year,” he said.
And there is more great news from the United Opposition for Sifuna and company. Here is what the “Alternative Government” is saying to Sifuna now.
Wiper clarifies Kalonzo’s remarks on deputizing Sifuna in 2027
The Wiper Patriotic Front has clarified remarks by its party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, over a possible political alliance with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Party spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru, in a statement shared on X on Monday, August 10, 2026, said Kalonzo had not agreed to deputise Sifuna, saying the former vice-president had only committed to supporting whoever is selected as the presidential candidate of the Alternative United Government.
“Our party leader, just like the other principals, merely acknowledged that he will support whoever is nominated under the Alternative United Government as its presidential flag bearer,” Ndegwa Njiru said.
Njiru said it was therefore wrong to interpret Kalonzo’s remarks as an agreement to take the deputy presidential position.
