Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has apologised to members of ODM over the confusion caused by the party leadership after agreeing to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Sifuna explained that there was a time his job as secretary general of the Orange Democratic Movement was easy, but that has since changed.
He said there is a lot of confusion, and he even finds it hard to explain things he previously did effortlessly because leaders from the party who joined Cabinet will say the exact opposite of what he said.
The senator described the situation as confusing and sad.
“What we agreed is that you can compromise on tactics, but you can never compromise on your values. There are things that ODM stands for that even if you woke me up in the middle of the night and asked my position, I would give you an answer straight away, but right now, there is a lot of confusion. I come to the media and public barazas, and I struggle to explain that we are the same political party. Then, a member of ODM who used to hold a premier position, who is now a CS saying the exact opposite. It leaves our support very confused," he said.
“I want to apologise to members of ODM for all the confusion we as a leadership have caused because it is very difficult right now to discern the position of ODM on major issues, and that is the biggest sadness."
He noted that he had spoken to their party leader over his frustrations and difficulties, including having to tell the people what ODM is doing in government.
The ODM secretary general said he, himself, has known only what the ODM party stands for under the leadership and mentorship of Raila, but every time they have to do things that are odds with the party beliefs, the confusion becomes too much.
“I have told my party leader that there was a time when it was very easy to be the SG of ODM. I have spoken to Baba (Raila Odinga). I have explained to him my frustrations and difficulties of having to explain what we are doing with this regime," he said.
Sifuna noted that there are many private conversations that take place from within the party on several issues that he cannot share publicly.
He, however, said that every remark he has made has been said to his party leader and that it is not him complaining, but Kenyans from all walks of life and their complaints reach Raila.
“It is not only Sifuna who complains; feedback comes from across the country. They are saying this relationship is hurting our political party.”
