Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has sharply criticized ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and other younger party figures for their absence from a recent dinner held to honor the founders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The event, which took place in Mombasa, was attended by President William Ruto and a select group of early ODM members who played a key role in the formation and early years of the movement.
Cherargei took issue with the absence of key party figures, arguing that the gathering provided a rare opportunity for reflection on ODM’s original direction and the principles that guided its rise.
He pointed out that the presence of President Ruto at the event signaled respect for the political path pioneered by ODM's founding figure, Raila Odinga.
The dinner, according to Cherargei, was not just a celebration of the past but an important moment for party members to reconnect with the values that shaped ODM's identity.
The senator emphasized that the early leaders used the occasion to reflect on the party’s core values.
Including advocating for open political space, fostering public participation in leadership, and championing cooperative politics.
These principles, he said, were central to ODM’s early success and should remain at the heart of the party’s direction.
Cherargei accused the newer, younger leaders of distancing themselves from the founding values of ODM.
Suggesting that their absence from the dinner reflected a broader disconnect between the party’s origins and its current leadership.
He argued that many of these leaders had not taken the time to understand the history and efforts that built ODM into the influential political force it is today.
In Cherargei's view, the founders’ dinner should have been a moment for unity and reflection, rather than a symbol of avoidance.
He stressed that for any leader aiming to guide the party forward, understanding its roots and core values is crucial to ensure its continued success.
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