Salasya urges Sifuna to leave ODM over Ruto’s reprimand
President William Ruto took a swipe at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, reminding him of his role within the ODM party following Sifuna’s criticism of the government’s response to the Butere Girls’ play controversy.
Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has urged Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to resign from his position as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following a strong reprimand by President William Ruto on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
MP Salasya stated that it is contradictory for a party to support the government while simultaneously opposing it, adding that ODM is on the verge of collapse.
"Edwin Sifuna, my brother from Western, come back home! Step down as ODM SG. You can’t oppose a gov’t (sic) your party sleeps with. ODM’s days are fading, & so are yours if you stay," he wrote.
President William Ruto took a swipe at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, reminding him of his role within the ODM party following Sifuna’s criticism of the government’s response to the Butere Girls’ play controversy.
Speaking during the funeral of George Oduor, longtime bodyguard to Raila Odinga, Ruto cautioned the Senator to be mindful of his tone when addressing matters concerning the presidency.
The Head of State further reminded Sifuna that, as a founding member of ODM, he holds significant influence within the party and could initiate disciplinary action if the senator persists with his continued criticism.
"I’ve heard Sifuna speaking with a lot of force. When you're talking about me, Sifuna, just know that I’m a founding member of ODM, so you need to slow down a bit. We are the ones who started this thing," Ruto said.
"And you know, if you push me too far, I’ll call a meeting of ODM’s founding fathers. We, who founded the party, can discipline you."
Sifuna had taken issue with the way President Ruto’s administration managed the Butere Girls’ play incident that unfolded in Nakuru.
"There are people in your government whose job seems to be playing handball every day. Now this whole drama we saw in Nakuru; students being barred from performing a play, getting teargassed, being chased around—that's self-inflicted trouble," Sifuna remarked.
"Honorable President, those making your work harder, read them the Riot Act because we know your job is tough already; they shouldn’t make it even tougher."