Dr Oburu Oginga has hit back at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna following the latter’s recent remarks that he could not serve as secretary general under a “mediocre” leader.
Speaking during an interview with a local media station aired on Sunday, April 19, 2026, ODM leader questioned Sifuna’s consistency, challenging him to explain why he would seek reinstatement to a position under someone he had publicly dismissed.
“Then why is he fighting to be reinstated as a secretary general to a person he claims is mediocre?” Oburu posed.
“We can’t have young people who are not disciplined; even saying that I am mediocre, and then he wants to be my SG.”
Oburu accused Sifuna of disregarding party procedures, alleging that the Nairobi senator had repeatedly defied ODM’s internal structures.
He claimed that Sifuna had gone as far as organizing parallel National Delegates Conferences (NDCs) instead of participating in official ones convened by the party.
Oburu further faulted Sifuna for skipping key party meetings, including sessions of the Central Management Committee, which he said demonstrated a lack of commitment to ODM’s collective leadership.
The Siaya senator intensified his criticism, asserting that Sifuna should not be treated as untouchable within the party.
“He is not a pope who should be bowed to,” Oburu said, noting that the action taken against Sifuna were intended to reinforce the principle that no member is above the party’s rules.
He clarified that the ongoing disciplinary actions were not aimed at expelling anyone from ODM but rather at ensuring accountability among party officials.
“Nobody is being expelled from the party. All officials, including Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Sifuna, who were recently removed from their positions, remain members of ODM. However, they will not hold leadership positions,” Oburu stated.
