ODM Removes Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General Amid Deepening Party Rift

ODM Removes Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General Amid Deepening Party Rift

NAIROBI, Kenya — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as Secretary General following a decision by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), marking a dramatic turn in an internal dispute that has exposed growing divisions within one of Kenya’s largest political parties.

The decision was reached during a NEC meeting held at Chungwa House on Monday, June 22, under the chairmanship of ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga. The meeting was attended by senior party officials, including party leader Oburu Odinga, as members deliberated on a report submitted by the Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC).

According to ODM officials, the committee had been tasked with investigating complaints lodged against Sifuna in his capacity as Secretary General. Following discussions on the report and its recommendations, NEC members unanimously voted to remove him from office.

Announcing the decision, Acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo said the party had acted in accordance with its constitution and internal disciplinary procedures.

“After going through the report and the findings of the IDRS under Article 74 Section 2 of the party constitution, the NEC unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendation and endorsed the removal from office of Senator Edwin Watenya Sifuna. Effectively, Senator Sifuna ceases to be the Secretary General of the ODM Party,” Omanyo said in an official statement.

Tribunal Remarks Cited in Decision

ODM leaders justified the move by citing observations previously made by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal regarding the importance of accountability and discipline within political organizations.

In its statement, the party referenced remarks emphasizing that no party official should be considered above established rules and procedures.

“The day any official of a party becomes above the law, so to speak, will be the day of the funeral of political party democracy in Kenya,” the tribunal had observed in an earlier ruling.

ODM further stated that Sifuna had been granted several opportunities to respond to allegations raised against him. However, party officials claimed that his responses were submitted through legal representatives rather than through the party’s internal disciplinary mechanisms.

The latest action comes barely a week after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal ruled that Sifuna had not been accorded a fair hearing during an earlier attempt to remove him from office.

At the time, the tribunal found that there was insufficient evidence to show that the Nairobi Senator had been formally notified that disciplinary issues concerning his conduct would be discussed during the NEC meeting that initially sanctioned his removal.

Political Undercurrents Within ODM

The dispute surrounding Sifuna’s position has unfolded against a backdrop of growing ideological and political differences within ODM, particularly regarding the party’s relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.

Since the signing of a cooperation agreement between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza government in March 2025, differing views have emerged within the party on the extent of engagement with the ruling coalition.

Sifuna has consistently positioned himself among the strongest critics of the arrangement, arguing that ODM must maintain its identity as an independent political force while safeguarding its opposition credentials.

His stance has occasionally placed him at odds with influential leaders within the party who have supported closer collaboration with the government on matters of national interest.

Political analysts say the latest development is likely to intensify debate over ODM’s future direction as the country gradually shifts focus toward the 2027 General Election.

What Happens Next?

While ODM has formally removed Sifuna from the powerful Secretary General position, the matter may not be entirely settled.

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal had previously clarified that ODM retains the right to discipline its members, provided such actions comply with the Constitution, party regulations, and principles of natural justice.

Legal experts suggest the latest decision could face further scrutiny should Sifuna or his supporters challenge the process through judicial or political channels.

For now, however, the decision represents one of the most significant internal shake-ups within ODM in recent years, highlighting the increasingly complex political dynamics shaping the party’s leadership and strategic direction ahead of the next electoral cycle.

As party members digest the decision, attention will now turn to how ODM manages the fallout and whether the move strengthens unity or deepens divisions within its ranks.

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ODM Removes Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General Amid Deepening Party Rift