By Our Reporter
Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok has come to the defense of ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna following his absence from the party’s Central Committee meeting held on Tuesday.
Imwatok dismissed claims that Sifuna’s absence carried political undertones, stating that unavoidable circumstances such as travel challenges are common and should not be politicised. He added that discussions on the 2027 General Election are premature and should be addressed at the appropriate time.
“Our leader Oburu Odinga has already clarified that Sifuna missed his flight and could not make it to the meeting. Sifuna himself communicated this, so why politicise the matter?” Imwatok said. “Many senior leaders, including Junet, Osotsi and Abdulswamad, have missed previous Central Committee meetings. This is not something that should be sensationalised.”
Imwatok further called on the ODM leadership to avoid making early declarations or commitments regarding the 2027 elections, urging patience and internal cohesion within the party.
Speaking during a live interview on Ghetto Radio’s breakfast show, the Nairobi Majority Leader also cautioned ODM’s top leadership against entering into any political arrangements with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) without broad consultations with party members.
He expressed concern that grassroots voices have increasingly been sidelined in key party decisions, noting that ODM’s estimated six million supporters must be fully involved before any major political direction is taken.
“As ODM members, we owe it to ourselves to respect Baba’s last wishes. We must give our members time to grieve and reflect before rushing into political decisions,” Imwatok said. “Consultation must be genuine, and the voice of the grassroots must be heard before we chart any new path.”
Imwatok’s remarks highlight growing internal discussions within ODM over the party’s future direction as the 2027 General Election approaches, with a section of leaders pushing for a more inclusive and consultative decision-making process.
