ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Friday maintained that his remarks that led to chaotic scenes that saw Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa snatch a microphone from him, had blessings from party leader Raila Odinga
A furious Jumwa stepped into the podium and forced Sifuna out, accusing him of introducing politics at the burial of Benjamin Kingi, father to Mombasa Deputy Governor Dr William Kingi.
“Mr SG, kindly refrain from politics out of respect for the dead. We are not here for ODM politics but to condole with the bereaved.”
“We shall not allow this; respect the Mijikenda. Find another platform and speak about issues relating to ODM. We are here to mourn the dead and not politics,” she said as the crowd shouted, some voicing support and others jeering her.
But Dr Kingi minutes later, explained to the mourners that Mr Sifuna had been fronted by Raila to represent him at the funeral. He asked Sifuna to 'forget' about the episode and deliver the message.
In a brief speech, an unapologetic Sifuna insisted that his message had blessings from Mr Odinga. He also said that the differences with Jumwa were imaginary, adding that he had nothing against the Malindi MP.
"I want to thank you Deputy Governor (William Kingi) for the opportunity. I want to make it very clear that I have no grudge with anybody, not even the family. I was sent here by party leader Raila Odinga and I have expressed myself on what he told me as a messenger. To the family, the ODM family condoles with you. May God bless you," he said.
Jumwa was expelled from the ODM party early this year, over her links to DP William Ruto.