Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang has recalled intervening when Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna threatened to resign from his position in the Orange Democratic Movement.

While speaking during the requiem mass of the late Dr Phoebe Asiyo in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Kajwang narrated how he stepped in to stop Sifuna from taking that step. He described Sifuna as a close friend, noting that if he were a sports ball, he would be a rugby ball, which is mostly unpredictable and difficult to determine which direction he might bounce next.

“You may have noticed that I stood immediately. You don’t resign at that point when you really wanted to go that direction. He is a friend of mine, but if he were a sports ball, he would be a rugby ball because you don’t know which direction it will bounce next,” Kajwang said.

His remarks came after Senator Sifuna, while addressing mourners at the funeral, praised the late Phoebe Asiyo for once threatening to resign from ODM during her tenure when the party took a direction that went against her principles. Sifuna commended this bold stance, saying that it should be everybody’s responsibility to protect the interests of the party whenever such an issue pops up.

“I was very happy to hear that Mama Asiyo threatened to resign, mnanielewa, kama mambo inaenda mbaya, you have a responsibility to put down your fit and say that this is not who we are.” Sifuna said

Kajwang went on to mourn Phoebe Asiyo as a trailblazer who played a significant role in shaping women’s leadership both in the region and in Homa Bay County. He noted that it is because of her efforts and inspiration that the county now enjoys gender parity in its top political leadership, with six men and six women occupying key positions.

He pointed out that Homa Bay County, which he is proud to represent, currently has 12 individuals in apex political leadership: one senator, eight members of Parliament, a woman representative, a governor, and a nominated senator, Beatrice Ogolla. Out of these 12 leaders, six are men and six are women.

He challenged others to name another country that can boast of such gender balance, adding that Mama Phoebe did not just speak about change; her influence led to real, visible progress.

“Look at Homa Bay County, the county that I am so proud to represent, the county of these great people. Today, out of 12 leaders, we have a senator, 8 MPs, a woman rep, a governor, and we have a nominated senator, Beatrice Ogolla. Out of 12 apex political leaders in Homa Bay, 6 are women and 6 are men. Tell me which other county can boast of that. Mama Phoebe didn’t just talk; things were happening because of her inspiration,” Kajwang said.