ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised concerns over what he termed as parallel financing of political activities conducted under the party’s banner, insisting that the party headquarters is not funding some of the high-profile rallies witnessed in recent months.
Speaking during a Citizen TV interview with Yvonne Okwara on Wednesday night, the city senator revealed that despite being a signatory to ODM’s official bank accounts, the party has not sanctioned or financed much of the spending seen at recent events. He noted that the last officially approved expenditure by ODM was for celebrations held in Mombasa, and even that amount was significantly lower than the scale of activities witnessed on the ground.
“The money being spent in some ODM rallies is not coming from the party,” Sifuna said, warning that there are activities being “clothed in ODM colours” but financed outside official party structures.
The Nairobi senator also took issue with the NYOTA programme, terming its use at political events an abuse of public resources. He questioned how a World Bank-funded initiative aimed at empowering youth could be converted into what he described as United Democratic Alliance (UDA) campaign rallies, without attracting scrutiny from oversight institutions.
On claims that he is part of a coordinated political faction alongside Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Winnie Odinga, and Siaya Governor James Orengo, Sifuna dismissed suggestions of a formal alliance. He said their association is rooted in shared political values and personal relationships rather than an organised scheme.
“Politics can be very lonely,” he said, adding that when former allies change positions, it becomes necessary to find comrades who share similar perspectives.
Addressing accusations that he is a political “mole” linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Sifuna strongly rejected the label, saying he would not be dictated on whom to associate with or where to show solidarity, including attending funerals.
Lawyer Sifuna further stated that ODM must be strategic in choosing political partners capable of winning elections, warning that aligning with UDA would almost certainly consign the party to the opposition.
He expressed confidence that President William Ruto would not secure a second term, saying he sees no viable path for the president’s re-election.