“I’ve Never Seen a Lion That Is Shy” — Sifuna Takes Swipe at Arati During Kisii Burial Ceremony

A burial ceremony in Kisii County turned into a lively political spectacle after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna humorously mocked Kisii Governor Simba Arati over his absence from the high-profile event.

Speaking during the burial of Mama Teresa Nyaboke, Sifuna sparked laughter among mourners after joking that he had expected to meet Arati face-to-face but was surprised the governor failed to attend.

“I’ve never seen a lion that is shy. I wanted to meet Arati face to face,” Sifuna remarked as sections of the crowd burst into laughter and cheers.

The outspoken senator appeared to use humor to indirectly address the growing political tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where divisions have continued emerging over the party’s relationship with President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Governor Arati has recently been perceived by critics as one of the ODM leaders warming up to the government, something that has attracted resistance from members associated with the “Linda Mwananchi” faction within the opposition party.

The faction includes several outspoken leaders such as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, all of whom have remained critical of ODM’s growing cooperation with the ruling administration.

Although Sifuna’s comments were delivered in a light-hearted manner, political observers believe the statement reflected deeper frustrations and internal disagreements that continue to widen within ODM ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The burial ceremony attracted thousands of mourners, political leaders, and supporters from different regions, quickly transforming into a major political gathering where national politics, opposition unity, and future alliances dominated discussions.

Sifuna’s remarks also come just days after he publicly accused Arati of betrayal over his alleged role in supporting efforts to remove him from the ODM Secretary General position. The public exchanges between the two leaders are now fueling speculation about shifting alliances within the opposition camp.

Analysts argue that the growing friction between ODM leaders could significantly influence the political direction of the party as leaders continue positioning themselves for future contests both within the party and nationally.

As the political atmosphere continues heating up, all eyes remain on whether ODM will manage to contain the emerging divisions or whether the tensions could deepen further in the coming months.