Speaking on the floor of the House following the tragic flooding that has claimed lives in Nairobi, Cherargei pointed an accusing finger at Sifuna’s oversight record.
He argued that while Sifuna is busy with national realignment politics, the residents of Nairobi are drowning—literally—due to poor drainage and inaction by the county government led by Governor Johnson Sakaja.
"I would also like to point out the lack of oversight. I want to encourage my brother, Omwami Sifuna, instead of saying 'Linda Mwananchi', you should start Lindaring [sic] Nairobi First," Cherargei posed on the floor of the Senate.
"If he can oversee Sakaja the way he is overseeing NADCO and the broad-based government, we would not be having these problems today. Can you use the same passion for Linda Nairobi because that is where your vote is?"
Cherargei further proposed that both the national and county governments should compensate the families who lost loved ones and those whose property was destroyed, calling the lack of preparedness "criminal negligence."
Cherargei's jab at the "Linda Mwananchi" (Protect the Citizen) slogan speaks to the ongoing political realignment in the country.
Sifuna, who was recently ousted as ODM Secretary General by a faction of the party allied to the broad-based government, has been using the "Linda Mwananchi" platform to rally opposition against President William Ruto’s administration.
These rallies, which he has held in various towns across the country, have often been met with chaos and disruption.
In one region, a person died during clashes, while in another, a campaign trailer donated to Sifuna was stoned by suspected goons.
Cherargei has been a vocal supporter of the faction that kicked Sifuna out of the ODM party leadership, previously congratulating the party for bringing back "sanity."
However, Sifuna was quick to dismiss the claims that he is neglecting his duties. While apologizing to the flood victims, he defended his record, stating that the responsibility for opening drainages and fixing infrastructure lies with the Governor, not the Senator.
"If the expectation from anyone in this House is that the Nairobi Senator's responsibility is to open drainages, I think it is the height of hypocrisy. Even with our political differences, you should not swing low blows," Sifuna stated in his defense.
The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the two leaders regarding the management of the capital.
Just last month, Cherargei had backed President Ruto’s push for a national government takeover of Nairobi county functions, a move Sifuna vehemently opposed as a threat to devolution.
As the death toll from the floods rises and thousands of families are displaced, the political class remains divided on who is to blame for Nairobi's vulnerability.