Gladys Wanga Refutes Claims ODM Can’t Fund NDC Without Edwin Sifuna’s Signature: “Not Mandatory”

Gladys Wanga Refutes Claims ODM Can’t Fund NDC Without Edwin Sifuna’s Signature: “Not Mandatory”

Gladys Wanga, the National Chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has dismissed assertions that the party’s operations — including financing major events — depend on embattled Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, saying such claims are legally and administratively unfounded.

Speaking amid escalating internal tensions following Sifuna’s removal from office on February 11, Wanga clarified that ODM’s constitutional framework distributes financial authority across multiple officials, not a single individual.

Her remarks come as the party prepares for a Special Delegates Conference (SDC) convened by party leader Oburu Oginga, an event some critics had suggested could not proceed without Sifuna’s approval.

“Not a mandatory signatory”

Wanga, who also serves as Governor of Homa Bay County, said the Secretary-General is only one of several signatories to party accounts and does not possess veto power over financial decisions.

“There is political party funding in this country, and ODM is entitled to the second largest share. And therefore we have money,” she stated.

She further explained that the legally binding authority lies primarily with the party’s National Treasurer, Timothy Bosire.

“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,” Wanga said.

According to her, once the treasurer signs a cheque, other authorised officials — including the finance director — can complete the transaction.

“There are seven signatories. So any three of them can sign a cheque and proceed with activities of the party,” she added.

Addressing “hostage” claims

The clarification follows allegations that Sifuna had effectively “held the party hostage” by withholding approval for key activities due to his constitutional role as custodian of party records.

Wanga rejected that narrative, arguing that ODM’s governance structures were designed specifically to prevent any single official from paralysing operations.

“The fact that Sifuna did not sign a cheque does not mean that the party did not fund that activity. That’s a fallacy,” she said.

She emphasised that ODM has conducted conferences, rallies, and administrative functions continuously for two decades regardless of internal disagreements.

“ODM has been having NDCs for 20 years… Nobody ever questions, because we are a party, and we are funded from the exchequer,” Wanga noted.

Questions over funding sources

Her remarks also addressed speculation that external actors — including President William Ruto — might be financing ODM activities, particularly recent grassroots meetings organised by the Oburu-led faction.

Wanga insisted that party funds come from legally mandated public allocations under Kenya’s Political Parties Fund, not private benefactors.

Dispute over withheld allocations

Separately, Junet Mohamed, Member of Parliament for Suna East, has urged the National Treasury to release outstanding funds owed to ODM, saying delayed disbursements have strained party operations.

According to party officials, the government allegedly owes ODM more than KSh 12 billion in accumulated allocations.

Junet raised the issue during a joint parliamentary engagement involving ODM and members of the ruling coalition, stressing that timely funding is essential for political competition and institutional stability.

ODM leaders argue that the Political Parties Act obligates the state to remit funds proportionally based on electoral performance, warning that continued delays could undermine democratic processes.

Internal tensions persist

The controversy surrounding Sifuna’s ouster has exposed deeper divisions within the party, with rival factions pursuing parallel political strategies ahead of future elections.

Analysts say Wanga’s statement signals an attempt by the leadership to project institutional stability and reassure supporters that party functions will continue uninterrupted.

While Sifuna has not publicly responded to the latest claims, the dispute underscores the challenges facing one of Kenya’s largest opposition parties as it navigates leadership transitions and financial uncertainty.

For now, ODM leaders maintain that the party remains fully operational — and financially capable — regardless of individual disagreements, setting the stage for a potentially decisive delegates’ conference in the coming weeks.

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Gladys Wanga Refutes Claims ODM Can’t Fund NDC Without Edwin Sifuna’s Signature: “Not Mandatory”