The verdict from the mountain is harsh and unforgiving. Mbeere North MP Leo Wamuthende has characterized Edwin Sifuna’s ouster from the ODM Secretary General position as nothing short of "political suicide," warning that the Nairobi Senator may have overestimated his individual brand against the party machine.

Speaking to a local TV station, Wamuthende did not mince his words. He argued that Sifuna is a product of ODM’s structure and that cutting ties with the vehicle that propelled him to national stardom is a strategic blunder. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-3)The MP’s comments highlight the brutal reality of Kenyan coalition politics: the party is always bigger than the individual.

The "Party Owner" Syndrome

Wamuthende’s critique touches on a sensitive nerve in Kenyan politics—the dominance of party machinery over individual charisma. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-5)"Sifuna has made a grave mistake," Wamuthende asserted. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-7)"ODM made him who he is. His exit will not bring the party down, especially when Kenyans want leaders to focus on development."

• The Risk: History is littered with vibrant politicians who faded into obscurity after fighting their party sponsorship.
• The Counter-Argument: Sifuna’s supporters argue that his "suicide" is actually a martyrdom that will endear him to the masses tired of political doublespeak.

A Miscalculation?

The MP further suggested that Sifuna failed to read the room regarding the need for national cohesion. By opposing the broad-based government, Sifuna isolated himself from the pragmatic wing of the opposition that sees cooperation with the state as a necessary evil for development. Wamuthende's analysis suggests that Sifuna's principled stance might arguably be a luxury he cannot afford.

“In politics, you don’t burn the bridge you are standing on,” Wamuthende concluded. Whether this is the end of Sifuna or the birth of a new political giant remains to be seen, but for now, the assessment from his colleagues is grim: he has walked the plank.