Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s dramatic denial of entry into Angola has sparked speculation of potential political sabotage, especially in light of the recent cooperation between his ODM party and President William Ruto’s UDA government.
Sifuna, who had traveled to Angola upon invitation by the opposition party UNITA, was barred from entry without explanation from Angolan authorities.
The move came just days after ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Ruto signed a historic political pact, raising eyebrows over possible behind-the-scenes interference.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna speaks during a past event. Photo: Edwin Sifuna Source: Facebook
Interestingly, Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine faced a similar fate, leading to suspicions that Angola’s ruling party, MPLA, may have acted under external influence to prevent the two vocal opposition figures from engaging with UNITA.
While Angolan authorities have remained silent on the matter, some political analysts are questioning whether Sifuna’s newfound alignment with Ruto’s government played a role in the rejection.
Could it be that ODM’s unexpected political shift rattled regional power dynamics, prompting certain forces to frustrate Sifuna’s diplomatic mission?
Insiders within ODM have hinted at internal tensions following the party’s recent collaboration with UDA, with some factions accusing Sifuna of betraying the party’s opposition stance.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during a past event. Photo: The Star Source: Facebook
This raises the possibility that external forces, perhaps with connections to the ruling coalition, could have influenced Angola’s decision to deny the senator entry.
As Sifuna vows to seek diplomatic clarification, political observers are left wondering whether this incident was purely a sovereign decision by Angola or a calculated move engineered by regional political players unsettled by ODM’s evolving alliances.
For now, the truth remains elusive, but the timing of the denial has only fueled speculation of political sabotage in an increasingly complex East African political landscape.
