Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda has criticized Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over remarks they made during Raila Odinga's bodyguard George Oduor's funeral attended by President William Ruto.
Speaking on Thursday, April 17, Ojienda condemned the remarks made by the two ODM leaders, calling it disrespectful and inappropriate, especially in the presence of the Head of State.
"It was inappropriate for James Orengo and my learned friend Edwin Sifuna to speak the way they spoke at the funeral of George Oduor. You do not speak to the president like that when he visits and he is attending a funeral," he said.
Ojienda went on to emphasize that ODM is in government, declaring his support for the Kenya Kwanza government and expressed confidence in its future.
"My understanding is that we are in government; we are in government to stay, and in 2027 we will win the election and we will come back again and serve the people of this country," he added.
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During Oduor's funeral, Sifuna delivered a bold address aimed at Ruto, calling out what he described as self-inflicted difficulties in the Head of State’s administration.
He drew attention to the recent Echoes of War controversy, urging the president to take control of his government.
"Like the Bishop mentioned, your job is very hard, and I agree with him because at some point I usually wonder if you get to sleep.
"However, there are some difficulties you have imposed on yourself. Like the drama we saw in Nakuru, where Butere Girls' High School students were stopped from performing, that’s a problem you have imposed on yourself," he said.
On the other hand, Orengo declared he would not join the "praise-singing bandwagon" for the current government, calling for the need for honest discourse over uncritical support.
He cautioned that the country risked deterioration if leaders continued to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths.
"We can’t keep praise-singing all the time. If you keep praise-singing we will not have a country. So tell your leaders the truth. If you want something from the government, it is a matter of right. It is not a favour you are being given," he said.
