Senator Nyutu backs Sifuna over attacks on Ruto’s govt
By Aloys Michael, July 24, 2025Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has come out in defence of ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, saying the outspoken Nairobi Senator is voicing the frustrations of millions of Kenyans rather than playing partisan politics.
Nyutu’s remarks follow fierce criticism from Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, who has challenged Sifuna to bolt out of the party if he does not support the ODM-Kenya Kwanza political agreement.
In a recent interview on a local TV station, the ODM Secretary General bare-knuckled the broad-based government, especially President William Ruto and his troops, for suppressing violations of human rights.
Nyamita accused Sifuna of undermining the MOU by publicly attacking the government on issues such as police brutality, abductions, and failed governance.
But Senator Nyutu sees it differently.
“If Sifuna is to be crucified, it cannot be because of what he is saying to Kenyans today. He is speaking to the conscience of the nation. What is the nation thinking today? That this government is so unpopular. And that’s the truth,” Nyutu said during an interview on a local TV station on Wednesday, July 24, 2025.
Nyutu acknowledged that Sifuna’s position may appear to contradict ODM’s recent political cooperation with the ruling coalition, but argued that such contradictions are a symptom of Kenya’s deeply transactional political culture.
“The fact is, we are not honest. And honesty, in my view, is about which direction we want to take the country,” Nyutu said.
“This just confirms the kind of political partnerships we’ve had in Kenya for the longest time, transactional and commercialised. People will say whatever helps them survive politically.”
He said Sifuna’s criticism of the government resonates with the realities on the ground, regardless of party affiliation.
“Sifuna is always speaking to the optics of what’s happening on the ground. People are hurting. This government that ODM is now associated with is very unpopular because of the lies,” Nyutu stated.
In a rare show of cross-party alignment, Nyutu suggested that Kenyans should welcome honest voices, even if they disrupt political alliances.
“I might call him a puppet to some extent, but even puppets can tell the truth sometimes,” he added.