ODM Leadership Asserts Financial Independence Amidst Internal Strife
Recent assertions from within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have sought to dispel notions that the party’s operational capacity is contingent upon the cooperation of its embattled Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna. Gladys Wanga, the National Chairperson of ODM, has firmly refuted the idea that the party is being held “hostage” by Sifuna, particularly concerning its ability to fund its various activities.
The controversy stems from Sifuna’s recent removal as Secretary General on February 11th, which led to allegations that he held significant leverage over the party’s finances and essential documentation due to his constitutional role. Some internal and external observers posited that key party undertakings, including a planned National Delegates Conference (NDC) initiated by party leader Oburu Oginga, required Sifuna’s explicit approval or the release of crucial party articles under his stewardship.
Clarifying Financial Authority within ODM
Wanga’s statements aimed to provide clarity on the party’s financial mechanisms, emphasizing that critical functions are not reliant on a single individual. She explained that the process of funding significant events, such as the NDC, is designed to be robust and does not necessitate the personal endorsement of the Secretary General.
According to Wanga, the primary signatory empowered to authorize financial transactions is the National Treasurer, Timothy Bosire. She articulated that while the Secretary General is indeed a signatory to the party’s accounts, their signature is not the sole or mandatory requirement for fund disbursement. Instead, the treasurer’s signature, alongside those of other National Executive Committee (NEC) members, is binding and sufficient to proceed with party activities, even in the absence of Sifuna’s cooperation.
“There is political party funding in this country, and ODM is entitled to the second largest share. And therefore we have money. We have money as a party. Sifuna is a signatory, but not a mandatory signatory. The only person who’s a mandatory signatory to the ODM account is the treasurer, Timothy Bosire. So if Timothy Bosire tells you, I didn’t sign a cheque, it makes sense because he has to sign each and every cheque. But once Bosire signs the cheque, the finance director can sign it. There are seven signatories. So any three of them can sign a cheque and proceed with activities of the party,” Wanga stated.
Public Funds and Consistent Operations
Wanga further underscored that party funds are derived from public sources and are therefore not subject to individual gatekeeping. She highlighted that ODM has a long-standing history of successfully funding its operations over many years, irrespective of internal disagreements or leadership shifts.
“The fact that Sifuna did not sign a cheque does not mean that the party did not fund that activity. That’s a fallacy that has been moving, and it’s good for us to clarify it. ODM has been having NDCs for 20 years. We’ve been on for 20 years. We’ve been having functions for all these 20 years. Nobody ever questions, because we are a party, and we are funded from the exchequer,” she elaborated.
This clarification also implicitly addresses broader questions regarding the funding of ODM’s activities, including recent grassroots engagement meetings across the country, suggesting that such endeavors are supported by the party’s established financial structures rather than external influences. The emphasis is on the party’s inherent capacity to function and fulfill its mandate through its authorized financial channels and committees.
