Sifuna: The president and his allies are in panic mode

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna consoles his Kakamega counterpart Boni Khalwale during the burial of Khalwale's wife at Malinya Stadium in Ikolomani. [Courtesy]

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has accused President William Ruto and his allies in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of panicking over what he termed declining political support, as the president's allies face hostility in Western and parts of the country.

Speaking yesterday during the burial of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s wife, Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale, at Malinya Grounds in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, Sifuna accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to honour its promises to Kenyans. He criticised the Kenya Kwanza government over the violent attack on Linda Mwanainchi brigade in Homa Bay and believes it is a sign the government is in a panic mode.

“Nyanza and Homa Bay people are very democratic and we have a few people from the region who have sensed defeat over dwindling popularity after realising they lied to President Ruto that Nyanza people are in the broad-based government,” Sifuna said.

This came as Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale claimed that he had discouraged President Ruto from attending the burial of his late wife at Malinya Grounds in Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega County, citing concerns that the President’s presence could disrupt the solemn occasion.

“The President called me through his personal assistant, Farouk Kibet, asking for the coordinates for his plane to land. But I told him, ‘Mr President, don’t come to Malinya," Khalwale recalled.

Khalwale said his decision was informed by what he described as growing political differences between the Government and sections of the community, particularly bullfighting enthusiasts who have traditionally supported him.

In his speech, Sifuna accused the President of resorting to what he described as lies after failing to deliver on his campaign promises.

“Ruto and his cronies should know that we plan to take him home because he has resorted to lies as his plan after failing to fulfil his pledges,” said Sifuna.

Sifuna singled out healthcare, youth empowerment and democratic freedoms as areas where he said the government had failed Kenyans.

He challenged President Ruto, who previously served as a pastor, to publicly declare that Kenyans no longer need to hold harambees to raise money for medical treatment under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

“I hear you used to be a pastor. I want you to take a Bible and swear before Kenyans that SHA is working because people are still holding fundraisers despite you promising us that healthcare would be free,” Sifuna said.

“It is not a must you lie to the people for them to love you or vote for you.”

The Nairobi senator said Kenyans were still struggling to raise money for medical bills despite government assurances that the health insurance system would provide universal healthcare.

He cited a recent fundraiser to raise money to release two bodies that had allegedly been held at the Kenyatta University hospital mortuary.

“William, stop lying. If that is what you call your plans, we want to tell you our plan is that you go home. You are the biggest problem in this country. The next government will be one that democracy will govern,” Sifuna said.

He also accused the administration of failing to provide adequate financial support to young people seeking to establish businesses, saying government empowerment programmes should be replaced with stronger budgetary support.

Sifuna further criticised what he described as increasing government interference in political activities, warning against intimidation of citizens and political opponents.

“If we enter government as Linda Mwananchi, we will ensure the country gets back to its democratic rights, not things where if someone writes what you don't like on Facebook then you send the police and kill them the way you killed Albert Ojwang,” he said.

Turning to the 2027 General Election, Sifuna said Kenyans would ultimately judge leaders based on credibility and their ability to address the country's problems rather than political parties and slogans.

He said political parties could change names and alliances, but voters would remain the ultimate decision-makers.

“Even if things get hard, I will choose even a party named Grass or Tent. It is not a must I have that party,” he said.

Sifuna also extended an olive branch to DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa, saying he was ready to engage him and build a broader political alliance.

“For the respect I have for you, your family and your history in the democracy of Kenya, I will sit with you, talk to you so that you get to know that if I get, you too gain,” Sifuna said.

Wamalwa, who also attended the burial, accused President Ruto of undermining democracy and questioned his silence over violence witnessed during political rallies and recent by-elections.

“Our brothers and sisters from Nyanza are very democratic people, but the violence we are experiencing is because the President is entertaining it. He should know that he was indicted in The Hague over the 2007 polls and that is why, as an Opposition, we will reopen the files for the ICC,” Wamalwa said.

He accused the government of allowing violence to mar political contests in Malava, Kasipul and Meru.

“Ruto must allow people and leaders to sell their agenda. We don't want to see what happened in Malava, Kasipul and Meru by-elections where it was full of violence. With that, we have resolved that Ruto must go home besides failing Kenyans,” Wamalwa said.

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang apologised to the Luhya community over the violence and disorder witnessed in Homa Bay, saying the incidents did not represent the region or ODM.

“Raila fought for democracy and it is a few nonsense people who are tainting our image. What happened in Homa Bay has nothing to do with ODM or the region. Goonism in Kenya must stop and democracy must prevail,” Kajwang said.

Sifuna received an enthusiastic welcome when he arrived at Malinya Grounds, with large sections of the crowd cheering him.

Politicians perceived to be allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration and the broad-based government found themselves under pressure from an animated crowd.

Some leaders who anticipated a hostile reception had visited Khalwale's home on Thursday to condole with the family rather than attend the burial on Friday.

Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala was among those forced to clarify his position after the crowd demanded that he support Sifuna.

“Sifuna is also our son. If he wants to come to Budalangi and ask for votes, I don't have a problem with him. Let him walk everywhere he wants. We are going to elections and all seats are going to be vacant,” Wanjala said.

Bumula MP Jack Wamboka also urged Western Kenya residents to support Sifuna, arguing that the region had for years supported leaders from other parts of the country without receiving equivalent benefits.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Governor Fernandes Barasa and other parliamentary leaders who attended Thursday's requiem mass urged politicians and residents to maintain peace and respect political differences.