The Central Management Committee (CMC) meeting, convened on Monday, January 12, at Vipingo in Kilifi, attracted attention after the two senior party officials failed to attend.
Sifuna serves as the party’s Secretary-General, while Osotsi is ODM’s Deputy Party Leader.
Addressing concerns over their absence, Oburu explained that both leaders had communicated their reasons in advance and had been formally excused by the committee.
According to Oburu, Senator Osotsi is currently out of the country on official travel. He revealed that the Vihiga senator is in South Africa and was unable to return in time for the meeting despite making efforts to do so.
“Godfrey Osotsi is in South Africa and sent his apologies. He attempted to travel back but was unable to make it,” Oburu stated.
On Sifuna’s absence, Oburu said the Nairobi senator missed his flight to Vipingo, preventing him from attending the meeting.
“Edwin Sifuna also sent his apologies. He missed his flight. Both leaders had permission from the committee to be absent,” he added.
Oburu emphasized that the meeting was properly constituted and that the absence of the two leaders did not affect its legitimacy or outcomes.
The ODM leader had earlier explained that the Kilifi meeting was convened to allow the party’s top leadership to hold consultations on emerging national and political issues affecting both the country and the party.
“I convened the ODM Central Management Committee meeting in Vipingo in my capacity as Party Leader to engage in consultative discussions on current political and national matters,” Oburu said in a statement issued earlier on Monday.
He reiterated that ODM remains firmly grounded in consultation, inclusivity, and unity as it charts its future political direction.
“As a party, we remain committed to internal dialogue, unity of purpose, and principled leadership. We continue listening to our members and the Kenyan people as we shape the party’s path forward,” he said.
Leaders who attended the meeting included Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, ODM Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, and Party Director of Campaigns and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, among others.
The meeting came against the backdrop of recent reports suggesting internal tension within ODM, particularly involving senior party officials. However, Oburu has moved to publicly downplay any divisions within the party.
Just days before the Kilifi meeting, Oburu met with Senator Sifuna in Nairobi, a move that appeared aimed at easing speculation of a fallout between the two leaders.
Following that meeting on January 7, Oburu described Sifuna as a principled and level-headed leader who remains committed to ODM’s democratic ideals.
“He remains a sober and principled voice within the party. We are one and united as ODM,” Oburu said at the time.
Oburu also underscored the importance of accommodating diverse opinions within the party, noting that healthy debate strengthens political movements rather than weakens them.
“Differences of opinion do not mean division. Strong parties grow through debate and challenges. The future of ODM lies in nurturing our young leaders,” he said.
A day after meeting Sifuna, Oburu also held talks with Minority Leader in the National Assembly and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
Addressing concerns over their absence, Oburu explained that both leaders had communicated their reasons in advance and had been formally excused by the committee.
According to Oburu, Senator Osotsi is currently out of the country on official travel. He revealed that the Vihiga senator is in South Africa and was unable to return in time for the meeting despite making efforts to do so.
“Godfrey Osotsi is in South Africa and sent his apologies. He attempted to travel back but was unable to make it,” Oburu stated.
On Sifuna’s absence, Oburu said the Nairobi senator missed his flight to Vipingo, preventing him from attending the meeting.
“Edwin Sifuna also sent his apologies. He missed his flight. Both leaders had permission from the committee to be absent,” he added.
Oburu emphasized that the meeting was properly constituted and that the absence of the two leaders did not affect its legitimacy or outcomes.
The ODM leader had earlier explained that the Kilifi meeting was convened to allow the party’s top leadership to hold consultations on emerging national and political issues affecting both the country and the party.
“I convened the ODM Central Management Committee meeting in Vipingo in my capacity as Party Leader to engage in consultative discussions on current political and national matters,” Oburu said in a statement issued earlier on Monday.
He reiterated that ODM remains firmly grounded in consultation, inclusivity, and unity as it charts its future political direction.
“As a party, we remain committed to internal dialogue, unity of purpose, and principled leadership. We continue listening to our members and the Kenyan people as we shape the party’s path forward,” he said.
Leaders who attended the meeting included Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, ODM Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, and Party Director of Campaigns and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, among others.
The meeting came against the backdrop of recent reports suggesting internal tension within ODM, particularly involving senior party officials. However, Oburu has moved to publicly downplay any divisions within the party.
Just days before the Kilifi meeting, Oburu met with Senator Sifuna in Nairobi, a move that appeared aimed at easing speculation of a fallout between the two leaders.
Following that meeting on January 7, Oburu described Sifuna as a principled and level-headed leader who remains committed to ODM’s democratic ideals.
“He remains a sober and principled voice within the party. We are one and united as ODM,” Oburu said at the time.
Oburu also underscored the importance of accommodating diverse opinions within the party, noting that healthy debate strengthens political movements rather than weakens them.
“Differences of opinion do not mean division. Strong parties grow through debate and challenges. The future of ODM lies in nurturing our young leaders,” he said.
A day after meeting Sifuna, Oburu also held talks with Minority Leader in the National Assembly and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
ODM later confirmed that the discussions focused on party growth and the broader political environment in the country.
The series of engagements by the ODM leader appear aimed at reinforcing unity within the party as it navigates shifting political dynamics ahead of the next election cycle.
The series of engagements by the ODM leader appear aimed at reinforcing unity within the party as it navigates shifting political dynamics ahead of the next election cycle.
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