Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has lashed out at ODM leaders, accusing them of betraying Raila Odinga's legacy and disrespecting his family.
Speaking during a service at JTM Church in Embakasi, Nairobi county, on Sunday, Sifuna said some of late Raila’s political allies have become intolerant and have now escalated their fight from him to his family.
Sifuna’s remarks came amid tensions surrounding the first anniversary of Raila’s death, with competing political factions offering different interpretations of his legacy and the direction his supporters should take ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Nairobi senator said he had lost the political positions bestowed on him by Raila, including ODM secretary general and deputy minority whip, following the veteran politician’s death.
“When Raila died, “locusts” attacked and took away everything. These “locusts” have no manners at all. After being done with Raila’s political sons, they have now gone after Raila family.”
Sifuna accused politicians who had presented themselves as Raila’s closest allies of abandoning him barely a year after his death, adding that some were now insulting his widow, Ida Odinga, and his children.
“We were in Bondo for the anniversary of Raila and those who were pretending to be his close allies, just a year after his death they have forgotten him and are singing songs for someone else,” he said.
“We, the real friends of Raila, will stand with his family.”
He was accompanied by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Linda Mwananchi spokesperson Pauline Njoroge, former LSK president Faith Odhiambo, politician Brian Weke and a host of other aspirants in Nairobi.
The senator’s remarks come amid divisions within ODM over the party’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration and the question of whether Raila’s political legacy should translate into support for the current arrangement.
Treasury CS John Mbadi, however, has warned against assuming that the political loyalty Raila commanded would automatically pass to his family.
“The Luo community loved Baba dearly, but that love and loyalty cannot automatically be transferred. Baba earned his place in the hearts of the people; no one can inherit that trust by default,” Mbadi said.
“You cannot dictate our political future or force a political path on us. The Luo Nation has its own voice, its own choices, and its own political conscience.”
Ida, meanwhile, appealed for restraint following tensions at the anniversary, warning against turning Raila’s memory into an extension of political rivalries.
“The Raila I knew understood the importance of reconciliation… His resting place must never become a battleground for political rivalries. Neither should our family’s grief be turned into an occasion for settling political scores,” she said.
The tensions were further demonstrated by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed’s criticism of the decision to invite DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua to the anniversary event.
Speaking at the event, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who is also an ODM deputy leader, invited those who had been disgruntled back to the party but appeared to further push away Sifuna.
“We ask you to remain but if you have decided to go, go away because we know you have been bought. ODM remains strong in this region.”
