Sifuna warns patience is running out as key political reforms stall

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ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has warned that patience among Kenyans is wearing thin as agreed political reforms continue to stall.

He says dialogue without outcomes risks losing public trust.

Speaking during a Citizen TV interview, Mr Sifuna said the bipartisan process was under pressure to deliver tangible results, particularly on electoral reforms, the cost of living and governance issues that affect ordinary citizens.

“People were promised reforms, not endless meetings,” Mr Sifuna said, arguing that delays were undermining confidence in political dialogue as a tool for resolving national crises.

Beyond the reform agenda, Mr Sifuna raised concern over the rising cost of living, saying Kenyans were struggling with high prices of basic commodities while political leaders appeared detached from everyday realities.

He said economic pressure, if left unaddressed, would continue to fuel public anger.

He also spoke about electoral justice, insisting that reforms around the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) must be credible and transparent to avoid repeating past disputes.

According to Mr Sifuna, weak electoral systems remain a root cause of Kenya’s recurring political instability.
On governance, the ODM official cautioned against what he described as growing intolerance of dissent, saying protests and criticism should not be met with intimidation.

“You cannot claim to believe in democracy while suppressing voices you don’t like,” he said.

Mr Sifuna further touched on coalition politics, noting that Azimio remained united despite internal changes and was positioning itself as a viable alternative leadership.

He said accountability and adherence to the rule of law would define the coalition’s next phase.

“Dialogue only works when it produces results,” he said, warning that Kenyans’ goodwill was not unlimited.

“This country needs action, not excuses.”

His remarks come amid renewed political realignments and mounting economic pressure, setting the stage for fresh debate on whether Kenya’s leaders can translate dialogue into meaningful change.