Senator Edwin Sifuna has warned leaders in ODM of the consequences they’re likely to face for talking down on Kenyans. Senator Edwin Sifuna admitted that Kenyan politics had changed since the Gen Z-led protests.
During an interview on Radio Citizen on Wednesday, December 4, the lawmaker urged Kenyans not to allow any leader to intimidate them. The ODM secretary general underscored that Kenyans had taken back their power when youths stormed the parliament, forcing lawmakers to flee.
Sifuna urged Kenyans to continue holding leader accountable, adding that those arrogant towards the citizenry would lose their seats. He acknowledged the Orange party might have its internal issues, explaining that there must always be those going against the party’s idealogy. “I want to tell Kenyans not to be intimidated by anyone. You have already taken back the power from the leaders; you know that shift happened when the youth stormed the parliament.
The events of this year have opened the eyes of many people, they have awakened the power of the people. These days, as a leader, when you speak, you must know that you are speaking respectfully to the people, and when the time comes, many of these leaders who are arrogant to the people will go home,” the legislator stated. In an apparent dig at Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Sifuna stated that it was good that he had owned up to his remarks.
“But it’s good, I heard someone say their mouth is theirs, their politics is theirs. That is fine. So, understand that the environment we operate in,” he added.
How should lawmakers be evaluated
The lawmaker further observed that Kenyans had become civically enlightened and have been following up on happenings in the National Assembly. He explained that Kenyans should be confident that there are reasonable legislators who will always stand for Kenyans and the rule of law. “
As a Kenyan, this year has been a very tough year. We have witnessed events that we have never seen before. But what gives me hope, as I said, is that Kenyans have awakened politically. Civically, people have become engaged. These days, all bills are being read. When leaders bring bills to parliament, some of them are foolish.
I want to assure you is that many of us in parliament will continue standing and saying that these bills do not benefit the citizens or violate the constitution, and we will oppose them,” Sifuna remarked. Sifuna stated that leaders should be judged by the bills they had brought before the August House, highlighting his contributions. “And the way we vote in parliament, the record is there, and everyone will be judged according to how they have performed their duties,” he said.
by Didacus Malowa