Edwin Sifuna declares second bid for Nairobi Senate seat
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna addressing the media in his home in Bungoma County on May 6, 2021.
ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna has declared his interest in the Nairobi senatorial seat in the 2022 General Election.
Mr Sifuna told Nation.Africa that he made the decision after consulting Bungoma ODM delegates who, he said, had wanted him to go for the county’s gubernatorial or Senate seat, or the Kanduyi parliamentary seat.
“I will now be vying for the Nairobi County senatorial seat in 2022 on the ODM party ticket and henceforth vote at Loresho Primary School in Westlands constituency,” Mr Sifuna said.
He initially voted at the Bungoma Cultural Centre, West Sangalo ward and Kanduyi constituency in Bungoma County.
He promised to be a defender of devolution to ensure more resources go to Nairobi County for better services.
“I will also ensure a conducive environment for investment to ensure Nairobi is attractive again to increase job creation,” he added.
Mr Sifuna will be making his second stab at the Nairobi senatorial seat after his unsuccessful bid in 2017.
He attempted to capture the position after failing to get the ODM ticket for the Kanduyi seat.
He later moved to Nairobi, where he vied for the senatorial seat on an ODM ticket but lost to the Jubilee Party’s Johnson Sakaja by 141,427 votes.
Mr Sakaja garnered 832,841 against Mr Sifuna’s 691,414.
Fifth President of Kenya
Mr Gorasia Ramesh Chandra, of Wiper, came third with 41,459 votes followed by Ms Lengewa Silantoi, who ran on an independent ticket and received 31,877.
Mr Dennis Nthumbi, of Agano party, got 12,215 while Mr Zacharia Matayo of the Republican Liberty Party managed 10,051 and Mr John Wamagata of Safina received 7,300.
Meanwhile, Mr Sifuna said he will also focus his energy on ensuring that ODM leader Raila Odinga, who last Friday declared he will vie next year, becomes the fifth President of Kenya.
He said next year will be a busy one for the Orange party, adding that in the first week of January, the party will hold its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to deliberate on Mr Odinga’s candidacy and the Azimio la Umoja Movement, his 2022 political vehicle to State House.
“We shall then hold the second meeting, which will be the National Governing Council (NGC) to also deliberate on the same (issue), and the third one will be the National Delegates Conference (NDC) so that the party delegates can also make necessary approvals,” he said.
If Parliament approves changes to the laws on political parties and elections to allow the formation of coalition political parties, he said, Mr Odinga will likely contest on the Azimio la Umoja Movement ticket.
He dismissed claims that President Uhuru Kenyatta had endorsed Mr Odinga for the top seat but was quick to add that the Head of State has the right to suggest directions on the future of the country.
“If a hippo comes out of the water and tells you the crocodile is sick, you have no reason to doubt it. The President has worked with his deputy William Ruto and understands him best. So, if he cautions Kenyans against voting for his deputy, he has good reasons for that,” he added.
