Sifuna Eulogises Dr Obwaka And Calls For Rule Of Law Reform
News Updated: 13 May 2026 17:09 EAT
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna attending the Memorial service for the late Dr. Job Obwaka at CITAM Valley Road, Nairobi.
Edwin Sifuna has eulogised the late Dr Job Obwaka during a funeral service in Nairobi, describing him as a man of integrity and service, while using the occasion to highlight issues of governance, justice, and the rule of law.
Sifuna said he attended the service as a friend of the family and introduced a long-standing personal relationship with a family associate known as Jackson, noting that their bond had lasted for over 15 years and extended into personal and professional trust.
He said he had known Jackson for more than 15 years and credited him with maintaining several of his personal and official vehicles over the years.
“He has taken care of all my vehicles from the first Mazda that I bought. He’s the one who’s taken care of it.”
Sifuna added that the same individual continued to maintain vehicles for his family and office, describing it as an example of trust and reliability.
“He takes care of my vehicle, my wife’s vehicle, my sister’s vehicles, my brother’s vehicles, my office vehicles.”
The senator said such relationships reflected the importance of trust in urban life, arguing that in Nairobi, personal networks often mattered more than financial transactions.
“In this city, relationships are more important than money.”
Sifuna also linked the same support system to his political journey, saying it had been instrumental in maintaining campaign vehicles used during elections and other political activities.
“He knows the vehicle that I used for the campaigns in ‘17 and even the one that I’m using now.”
He recalled that during periods of political demonstrations, vehicles associated with opposition activities were often damaged by police but quickly repaired and returned to service.
“When we were doing Maandamano in 2013 and 2017 and ‘23, the police would destroy our vehicles.”
He said the speed of repairs often surprised many observers who questioned how quickly the damaged vehicles were restored.
“It would take Obaka just like a few hours and that same vehicle will be back on the road.”
Sifuna then turned to the arrest of Dr Obwaka, saying he was informed while travelling and immediately sought clarification from police authorities.
“On the day that Dr. was arrested, I was actually going to Meru.”
He said he contacted the Inspector General of Police, who initially claimed not to have information on the matter at the time.
“So I called the IG of police and asked him what’s going on… said he was not aware of what was going on.”
The senator linked the incident to an ongoing dispute involving The Nairobi Hospital, noting that public pronouncements from senior leadership had already influenced the handling of the matter.
“We were all aware of the dispute with Nairobi Hospital and certain pronouncements had been made by the highest office in this land.”
He further claimed that the President later acknowledged involvement in the decisions surrounding the matter.
“The President actually owned up later that he’s the one who gave the orders to do what happened.”
Sifuna said he appealed for humane treatment of the late Dr Obwaka, arguing that his age and condition should have been considered in determining bail and detention terms.
“Just give him whatever cash bail conditions you can give him. Let him go home.”
Reflecting on the broader context, he said every generation has a responsibility to confront its own challenges and defend justice and accountability.
“Every generation must find its purpose and fight it during its generation.”
He added that Kenya must return to constitutional values where disputes are resolved through lawful and transparent processes.
“It is not possible… what is wrong with just returning the country to the rule of law?”
Sifuna questioned the integrity of judicial processes, warning against interference in court decisions and stressing the importance of respecting court rulings.
“If I have a dispute with you, can I trust the judge that you will not go and see the judge behind the door?”
He said respect for court orders was essential for national stability and governance.
“If you lose in court, you have lost. You respect the court orders.”
Sifuna concluded by reaffirming his commitment to constitutionalism and good governance, saying Kenya must return to fairness, justice, and institutional integrity.
He also explained that he chose to speak away from the pulpit, saying it was important to respect the separation of church and state, while allowing clergy to lead from the altar.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD