Court Stops Ouster of Sifuna as ODM Secretary General
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has secured temporary relief after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal halted his removal as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), setting the stage for a high-stakes legal and political battle within one of Kenya’s leading parties.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, February 12, the tribunal ordered the immediate suspension of the implementation and gazettement of the decision by ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to remove Sifuna from office.
“That pending the hearing and determination of this instant application, inter partes, this honourable tribunal hereby issues orders staying the implementation of the Resolution made by the National Executive Committee of the Orange Democratic Movement Party,” the court ruled.
The tribunal further barred the publication of the contested decision in the Kenya Gazette.
“That pending the hearing and determination of this instant application, inter partes, this honourable tribunal hereby issues an order restraining the respondents from publishing in the Kenya Gazette the resolution made on February 11, 2026, to remove Edwin Sifuna as the Secretary General of the Party,” the ruling added.
The decision comes just hours after the Nairobi lawmaker moved to court to challenge Wednesday’s NEC resolution, which announced his immediate removal and replacement with Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo in an acting capacity.
“I have taken note of the announcement made by a section of the ODM National Executive Committee in Mombasa yesterday purporting to remove me from the position of secretary general of ODM,” he said.
“Let me state without fear of contradiction that this action is unlawful, unprocedural and a blatant violation of the ODM constitution as well as the principles of natural justice,” Sifuna affirmed.
He further alleged that his removal was politically motivated, claiming it stemmed from his stance against supporting President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
“My only crime is that I have refused and opposed any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto’s re-election because I have held the firm position that this country cannot afford another five years of divisive misadventures,” the senator stated.
In a statement released after the meeting chaired by party leader Oburu Odinga, the NEC said it had deliberated extensively before arriving at its resolution.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) expressed concern over rising levels of indiscipline within the party, especially within senior leadership positions,” the statement read.
“Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office effective immediately,” it added.
Political analysts note that the court’s intervention not only preserves Sifuna’s position for now but also signals the growing role of legal processes in settling intra-party conflicts.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is expected to test both ODM’s internal governance mechanisms and the broader regulatory framework governing political parties in Kenya.
For now, Sifuna remains in office, pending the tribunal’s final determination — a decision that could significantly shape the party’s leadership dynamics in the months ahead.
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Court Stops Ouster of Sifuna as ODM Secretary General
