ODM denies plan to break Uhuru party

ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. ODM has dismissed claims by a section of Jubilee leaders that its activities are geared towards breaking up the ruling party. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Jubilee Party is the vehicle Deputy President William Ruto intends to ride on in his bid to succeed the President in 2022.

  • Jubilee leaders, led by Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, have accused Mr Odinga of a spirited attempt to drive a wedge between President Kenyatta and his deputy.

ODM has dismissed claims by a section of Jubilee leaders that its activities since the handshake between its leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta are geared towards breaking up the ruling party.

Jubilee Party is the vehicle Deputy President William Ruto intends to ride on in his bid to succeed the President in 2022.

ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna described the fears that have been expressed by some Jubilee leaders allied to Mr Ruto, as a “wrong notion”, saying their activities are only meant to uplift the Orange party.

Jubilee leaders, led by Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, have accused Mr Odinga of a spirited attempt to drive a wedge between President Kenyatta and his deputy.

REVAMP

But while speaking to journalists after holding a meeting with Kiambu ODM leaders at Riverside Hotel in Kiambu on Monday, Mr Sifuna said all parties are free to revamp.

“When we engage in activities as a party, it’s not our intention to kill (politically) any other person, group or party. I believe that these parties  are free to engage in party activities, they are free to go to any corner of the country like we are doing in ODM. Our vibrancy is only for uplifting ourselves. That is a wrong notion that should be corrected,” said Mr Sifuna.

Mr Sifuna said the party leadership had been given a mandate to revamp the party at all levels in all regions across country, and this week, he will hold meetings with county party leadership in Kiambu, Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia counties.

The SG said the party remains behind all activities being spearheaded by the President and Mr Odinga under the building bridges initiative, but complained that some leaders are muddling the debate with unnecessary debate.