- DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua invites ODM’s Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino to join his party.
- Gachagua claims President Ruto is allegedly pushing out leaders from ODM after ‘buying’ the party.
- The DCP leader is confident of winning Nairobi despite Ruto’s influence.
- Babu Owino and Sifuna have previously expressed concerns over their positions within ODM.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 3, Gachagua suggested that ODM leaders Sifuna and Owino may soon find themselves without a home in the party due to President Ruto’s influence:
“William Ruto has said, once he buys ODM, he doesn’t want Sifuna there,” Gachagua claimed.
He personally invited Sifuna to DCP: “Edwin Sifuna, I want to tell you, my brother, you are a good leader. If you are chased from ODM, you are welcome in DCP. Sifuna is a good senator in Nairobi, and I have no problem with DCP supporting Sifuna to be the Senator of Nairobi.”
Similarly, he extended an invitation to Babu Owino, who has been eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial seat:
“Ruto said even Babu Owino will have to leave ODM. Babu Owino, if you are also chased, come to DCP. If Babu and Sifuna feel uncomfortable in DCP, go to Wiper, our partner.”
Gachagua expressed confidence that his party would succeed in Nairobi:
“I want to tell the ODM that if they follow William Ruto, they will get nothing in Nairobi. He has 24,000 votes in Nairobi. I’m clear in my mind that we will win.”
Babu Owino has publicly voiced concerns over his political future in ODM, suggesting a plan may exist to deny him the party ticket for the Nairobi gubernatorial race.
ODM elder Dr Oburu Oginga reassured him in October:
“Babu Owino symbolises the vibrant energy and determination of our youth. He has a promising future, and we are together.”
Similarly, Edwin Sifuna has faced internal party challenges. In November, he and Siaya Governor James Orengo pushed back against what they called desperation within ODM, arguing that President Ruto needs ODM more than the party needs him:
“We want a government that is accountable, and now, as we speak, I dare say, Ruto needs ODM; it’s not ODM that needs Ruto,” Orengo said.
Sifuna also dismissed claims that ODM cannot produce a presidential candidate:
“People are claiming that within ODM, no one can become President. I want to tell you that if we rally behind any one of us, we shall win the elections. Let us go back to our roots, let us not be people who are begging what can be rightfully ours.”
The remarks came after Raila Odinga’s daughter, Winnie, warned that some individuals were trying to compromise the party’s independence behind closed doors.
