Sifuna: I’m Too Big to Be Gachagua’s Mole

Edwin Sifuna File image

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed claims that he is a political mole for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, terming the allegations baseless, misleading, and driven by political mischief.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Sifuna said suggestions that he could serve as anyone’s mole were illogical and insulting to his political standing.

“I’m too big to be anyone’s mole. People should be Sifuna’s moles,” he said, challenging his critics to clearly explain what being Gachagua’s mole would even mean in Kenya’s political context.

According to Sifuna, branding dissenting voices as moles has long been a tactic within ODM, dating back to the party’s early years.

“This thing about moles in ODM is old. For as long as you don’t agree with a certain position, you are branded a mole, and it is quite interesting,” he said.

The senator explained that the latest accusations intensified after he coincidentally encountered Gachagua at a funeral, an event he said had no political undertones.

“These conversations ramped up after I ran into Gachagua at a funeral. It was for the parent of a Nairobi MP,” Sifuna said.

He emphasised that attending funerals is a matter of solidarity, not political alignment, noting that Nairobi leaders routinely support each other during bereavements regardless of party affiliations.

“In Nairobi, we have always stood with each other. When my family lost Uncle Lawrence, all Nairobi MPs attended. We also went to Gakuya’s parents’ burial in Nyeri,” he said.

Sifuna recalled that the Nyeri burial marked his first-ever interaction with Gachagua, who was then deputy president, describing it as a normal social obligation.

“If there is a guest list for funerals, let them tell us. You cannot stop me from attending a burial just because Gachagua is there,” he said.

He dismissed the mole narrative as a calculated political tactic aimed at discrediting him following internal party debates.

“We have won every argument in the party. So they look for excuses. Give a dog a bad name and hang it. This is politics; it is kawaida,” Sifuna said.

The senator said he had been prepared for sustained criticism, crediting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for advising him to develop resilience.

“Raila told me I must have a thick skin. He reminded me that his name was constantly on newspaper headlines, some true, some not,” he said.

Sifuna added that Raila warned him that holding senior party office inevitably comes with criticism, rumours, and personal attacks.

“He told me that as secretary general, I must accept criticism and remain focused,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to ODM’s founding principles, saying they remain his political compass.

“Our North Star is the values we have spoken about, and that is where my focus remains,” Sifuna said.