Is Sifuna being considered for running mate role?

Within the United Opposition, Sifuna is seen as a potential compromise candidate for running mate position as an alternative to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who has announced that he will be defending his gubernatorial seat.

Sifuna, who is the de facto leader of the Kenya Moja Alliance and also the secretary general of the Orange Democratic Movement, has been hitting the headlines for many weeks now.

There was a push to have him fired from his secretary general role in ODM and also de-whipped from parliamentary leadership, a move that was nipped in the bud following the intervention of key figures, including Ida Odinga.

Migori Senator Eddie Oketch wrote a letter on Monday petitioning ODM to start the process of removing Sifuna for allegedly undermining the party’s role in the broad-based government.

A day later, he withdrew the petition, saying that after soul-searching and advice, he had agreed to the move to give way for talks in ODM to solve the internal wrangles.

Between late last month and the first weekend of this month, Sifuna opened a Pandora’s box when he claimed that top party officials, led by National Assembly minority leader Junet Mohamed, ‘ate’ money meant for the late Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign.

This is after Junet and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of trying to buy ODM using Sifuna and his allies.

Speaking during the burial of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo on December 30, Sifuna ‘apologised’ to Uhuru, who was at the funeral, on behalf of ‘washenzi’ (fools) in ODM who were dragging his name to party wrangles yet they ‘ate’ all the monies Uhuru gave for Raila’s failed bid.

In a rejoinder, Junet denied the claims, saying the kitty meant for agents was controlled from a private office in Westlands manned by Uhuru’s younger brother Muhoho Kenyata and his aide Peter Mburu.

The public exchanges continued into New Year, with Sifuna daring those who want him out to bring it on.

Speaking at the burial of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s mother Alice Gakuya on January 3, he said he will not let anyone dictate who his friends or enemies should be.

Sifuna said Nairobi being a cosmopolitan constituency, he has to reach out to all communities, unlike some of his adversaries who come from a homogenous constituency, before declaring his allegiance to the ‘Wantam’ movement.

“Nawaambia kama ODM SG kuwa maeneo yote yaliyomuunga Raila mkono yamechoka na Kasongo (I’m telling you as the ODM secretary general that all areas that supported Raila are tired of Kasongo (Ruto).”

His tough stand against Ruto’s presidency appear to be endearing him to the country’s opposition, with suggestions that he may be considered for a more senior role.

“He can be Kalonzo’s running mate since Natembeya still wants to remain in Trans Nzoia,” a source in the opposition said, adding that there are plans to elevate him to the principals’ table.

The source cited DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua’s speech during that burial and also previous statements that point to Sifuna’s rise within the ranks of the opposition.

Gachagua said the opposition is in no rush to announce its flagbearer, even though Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had previously indicated that the candidate would be revealed early this year.

“If we do it now, we might exclude people like our brother Edwin Sifuna. Even Mzee Oburu Oginga has expressed interest in running. We need to hear from everyone,” he said.

“As the opposition, we are ready to back any person agreed upon by the coalition. Whether it’s Kalonzo, Fred Matiang’i, Sifuna or George Natembeya, we will align.”

Sifuna, 43, is seen as a youthful and charismatic leader who can excite the young voters and mobilise the populous Western Kenya voting bloc.

The region, though not known to vote as a bloc, accounts for the country’s second biggest vote basket after the Mt Kenya region.

Political analyst Herman Manyora sees Sifuna as a potential game changer for the opposition.

“It is possible for Sifuna to be the automatic running mate for the opposition because he will be bringing in a chunk of ODM, the real big chunk,” he says.

“If Kalonzo becomes the opposition’s flag bearer, the running mate automatically has to be a Luhya. There is Wamalwa, there is Natembeya and there is Sifuna, and any time you combine this, Sifuna is bad news.”

Sifuna’s Senate colleague from Nandi, Samson Cherargei, however, thinks the ODM secretary general is facing an imminent fall politically.

“Sifuna is being fattened for a big slaughter politically in the fullness of time,” he said.

“He is a newbie in politics; he will never know what happened when he is politically minced meat.”

The Nairobi Senator leads the amorphous Kenya Moja Alliance that includes MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East, ODM), Caleb Amisi (Sabaoti, ODM), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti, Wiper) and Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South, ODM).

Others are Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri, UDA), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba, ODM), Jack Omboka (Bumula, DAP-K), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai, Ford Kenya) and Ojiambo Oundo (Funyula, ODM).

Recent opinion polls indicated that the Kenya Moja Alliance has 17 per cent support, being a potential third force, behind the United Opposition’s 22 per cent and the ruling UDA’s 32 per cent.

On Wednesday, Sifuna appeared to be conciliatory after meeting Raila’s widow at Karen in Nairobi, saying Ida had reached out to him as a mother would.

“Mama called me today and she told me, ‘Sifuna, you look like somebody who needs a hug.’ I am eternally grateful that I have come to your home and I have gotten that hug. It is going to renew my spirit and my strength.”

The ODM spokesperson then declared he will not be the one to break the party. His meeting with Ida came shortly after he had met party leader Oburu Oginga earlier.

In a statement, Oburu said Sifuna remains “a sober and principled voice, embodying the democratic ideals we believe in as a party”.

"As a leader, I believe we must encourage everyone to speak their mind,” he said.

“Differences of opinion do not mean division. Great parties, like ODM, grow through robust debate and unique challenges. That is where the progress and continuity of our party truly lie: in the hands of our young people."