Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo has accused Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo of taking a neutral stance in ongoing internal disputes within ODM, saying the legislator has failed to take a firm position as tensions rise in the party.
Omanyo, who also serves as ODM deputy secretary general and is currently acting secretary general in the absence of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, criticised Millie for what she described as avoiding direct engagement in party disagreements.
“Millie Odhiambo, whom I looked up to in politics, has sat on the fence when so many things are happening in ODM; she is sitting on the fence. She said ODM mistreated Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. In her heart, somehow, she is picking a side,” she said.
“She should be the last person to speak like that to show that she cares. If she cares so much and she is a lawyer, she should have a sit-down with her fellow lawyer Sifuna and urge him to try and solve issues internally if there is something that does not please him with ODM and not to bring confusion.”
In a Facebook post, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo said she had taken a clear stand for reconciliation and unity within the party.
“I took a clear stand for reconciliation and unity. Goons were sent to attack me for seeking a strong and unified party,” she wrote, adding that Omanyo had “taken a stand to take Sifuna’s position.”
Omanyo argued that rather than publicly criticising the party, Millie should have engaged Sifuna privately to help resolve internal concerns.
Omanyo defended the party’s stance on Sifuna, dismissing claims of mistreatment and suggesting that the senator’s frustrations reflect a personal decision to exit the party.
She also indicated that leadership contests within ODM remain open, signalling a potential contest for the secretary general position.
“If someone decided to leave, whatever you try to give them will not matter; they will still leave. I have parked myself in SG and settled just fine. The party is still solid, and we are all set. We shall meet in the NDC. I will fight for the seat,” she said.
Her remarks come after Millie publicly defended ODM, calling for internal democracy and cautioning against handling disputes in a way that elevates dissenting voices.
“Our mistreating Sifuna is what has made Sifuna a hero. So let us be careful the way we are dealing with our issues,” Odhiambo said earlier.
She also alleged that she had previously faced intimidation for speaking out on internal party matters, including attempts to silence her during a meeting in Kisumu.
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