ODM AXES EDWIN SIFUNA AS SECRETARY GENERAL IN DRAMATIC NEC SHAKE-UP

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as Secretary General following a resolution by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) during a meeting held on Monday at Chungwa House in Nairobi.

The high-stakes meeting, chaired by ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and attended by Party Leader Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, deliberated on a range of party and national matters before unanimously adopting recommendations that led to Sifuna's ouster.

In a statement released after the meeting, the NEC announced that it had received and considered a report from the party's Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC), which had been tasked with investigating complaints against Sifuna in his capacity as Secretary General.

"The NEC unanimously resolved to adopt the Committee's recommendations and endorsed the removal from office of Senator Edwin Watenya Sifuna. Effectively, Sen. Sifuna ceases to be the Secretary General of the ODM Party," the statement said.

Lengthy Legal Battle

The decision marks the culmination of months of internal disciplinary proceedings and legal battles between the party and the outspoken senator.

According to ODM, Sifuna had initially moved to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) seeking orders to stop the party from taking disciplinary action against him. However, those orders were vacated on March 26, 2026, allowing the internal process to proceed.

The party further stated that after the disciplinary proceedings commenced, Sifuna once again sought intervention from the tribunal in an attempt to halt the process. On April 9, 2026, the PPDT ruled that ODM was free to continue hearing and determining the disciplinary case but barred the party from communicating or implementing any decision until the matter before the tribunal was concluded.

ODM said the Internal Disputes Resolution Mechanism (IDRM) subsequently invited Sifuna to appear before the committee. The senator reportedly requested adjournments on two occasions and sought additional details regarding the allegations against him, requests which the committee granted.

However, when the matter came up for hearing on April 20, 2026, Sifuna did not appear personally. Instead, his lead counsel, Senior Counsel Isaac Okero, informed the committee that his client was unwilling to proceed, alleging bias within the committee.

The party said the committee proceeded to hear the matter in his absence.

ODM Defends Decision

In defending the disciplinary process, ODM cited remarks made by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal emphasizing the importance of internal party democracy and accountability.

"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 stated in part, according to ODM.

The tribunal also noted that it was reluctant to interfere with internal party disciplinary mechanisms and had directed the party to conclude the process it had already initiated.

ODM maintained that all procedures were conducted in accordance with the party constitution and applicable laws.

Party Turns Focus to Elections

Beyond the Sifuna matter, the NEC directed the National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) to expedite the conclusion of party elections in the few areas where disputes had been reported and subsequently resolved.

The party said finalizing the elections would pave the way for preparations toward the National Delegates Convention (NDC), where national officials will be elected as required by the party constitution.

ODM also commended its elections team, saying that internal polls had been conducted successfully in 98 percent of branches and counties across the country.

Compensation for Protest Victims

The NEC further called for the speedy implementation of recommendations contained in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report regarding compensation for victims of excessive police force.

The party insisted that compensation should be conducted transparently and in accordance with the law, with ODM playing an active oversight role given that many of those affected were party supporters.

The Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) was urged to work closely with Parliament and other stakeholders to ensure deserving victims and families are identified and compensated.

As the meeting concluded, ODM leaders wished Sifuna well in his future political and professional endeavors, signaling the end of one of the party's most consequential internal disputes in recent years.

The dramatic decision is expected to trigger intense political debate and could reshape the power dynamics within ODM as the party prepares for its next phase of leadership elections and national political engagements.