Sifuna went ahead as SG of ODM and said he is a man who was circumcised with a knife, so no one can remove him from his position - Kasmuel

Fresh cracks have emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following a sharp exchange between party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and ODM Youth League member Kasmuel McOure, exposing growing tension over leadership respect, loyalty, and the party’s future direction.

The dispute erupted after McOure accused Sifuna of openly disrespecting senior party figures, particularly Dr Oburu Odinga, during a recent political engagement in the Mulembe region. 

In a strongly worded statement, the youthful activist warned that continued defiance from the Secretary General could trigger his removal from office during the next National Delegates Convention (NDC).

According to McOure, Sifuna deliberately failed to recognise Oburu Odinga’s presence and role at the event, an act he described as a serious breach of party etiquette and discipline. 

He argued that such conduct undermines ODM’s internal cohesion and disrespects the leadership structure that has guided the party for years.

McOure went further to caution Sifuna against what he termed as “political arrogance,” reminding him that the Secretary General position was not won through a popular vote but granted through appointment by ODM party leader Raila Odinga. 

He insisted that the appointment did not place Sifuna above other leaders who have equally served and sacrificed for the party.

“If you feel too big for ODM, then you should pursue your interests elsewhere,” McOure warned, adding that party members would not hesitate to reclaim the position if the Secretary General continued what he called persistent insubordination.

The Youth League leader also criticised Sifuna’s growing engagements with leaders outside his traditional political base, accusing him of using social media and public rallies to build an independent political profile at the expense of party unity. 

He alleged that the Nairobi Senator was being influenced by external forces keen on weakening ODM from within.

However, Sifuna has remained defiant. Speaking to supporters earlier in the week, the Secretary General dismissed threats of removal and asserted that he was firmly rooted in the party. 

In a statement that quickly went viral, Sifuna declared that he could not be intimidated out of office.

“I am a man who was circumcised with a knife,” Sifuna said, using a cultural metaphor to emphasise his resilience. 

“No one can scare me or remove me from this position through threats.”

Sifuna also used the opportunity to caution sections of the party against making premature political decisions ahead of the 2027 General Election. 

He stressed that ODM had not resolved whether it would support President William Ruto’s re-election or take a different path.

“The decision of where ODM stands in 2027 will not be made by a few leaders at the top,” Sifuna said. 

“We will go to the ground and listen to the people. The voice of Kenyans will guide our direction.”

His remarks appear to challenge claims that ODM has already aligned itself with the broad-based government, a stance that has sparked internal debate among party members.

Political observers note that the standoff reflects deeper ideological and generational divisions within ODM, as younger leaders push for reform while veteran figures seek to preserve traditional hierarchies. 

While no formal disciplinary process has been announced, the public nature of the exchange suggests that internal tensions may intensify as the party navigates its role in national politics.