Kaluma says Sifuna’s remarks won’t kill the ODM-UDA agreement,top 3

Mustafa Juma 25th July, 2025 03:34 AM

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma at a past event. PHOTO/@gpdkaluma/X

Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma has defended the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Kaluma dismissed claims that recent remarks by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna could jeopardise the pact.

Kaluma emphasised that the MoU remains intact and is progressing well, particularly in areas touching on electoral and governance reforms as proposed in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).

“The MOU was between ODM and UDA, and that’s why I am telling you it will not die because of what Sifuna says. In terms of the NADCO report, a number of pieces of legislation were proposed, and I can tell you that as late as the day before yesterday, we were discussing those that are related to electoral reforms, the one related to political party changes that were to be made in the office of the registrar of political parties, and others around governance. So NADCO is a tick,” Kaluma said.

Inclusivity

Kaluma further argued that the issue of inclusivity—one of the core principles in the MoU—is anchored in the Constitution under Articles 10 and 232, making it not just a political issue but a constitutional imperative.

“Inclusivity is a very difficult subject, but I can say we started very well, and we are moving very well. And I am one person who is firm that the agreement between UDA and ODM on the matter of inclusivity, which is a national value under Article 10 and Article 232 of the constitution, must be dealt with,” he said.

Kaluma cautions Sifuna

He also issued a measured but firm caution to Sifuna, urging him to respect the collective decisions of the party and avoid airing internal matters in public.

ODM party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna at a past function. PHOTO/@TheODMparty/X

Kaluma acknowledged Sifuna’s right to hold and express personal opinions but emphasised that such expressions must be guided by the responsibilities and limits of his office.

“We must also understand that Sifuna himself, beyond being the secretary of the party, is an individual—a leader with his own right of opinion,” Kaluma said.

“If we tried to silence Sifuna, then I can tell you, the ‘D’ in ODM would be dying.”