Sifuna Survives: Why Migori Senator Eddy Oketch Dropped the Ouster Hammer
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna can breathe a sigh of relief—at least for now. In a dramatic turn of events within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has officially withdrawn his petition seeking Sifuna’s removal as the party’s Secretary General. The move, announced on January 6, 2026, marks a significant cooling of tensions in a party that has been navigating a delicate transition following the passing of the legendary Raila Odinga.
The decision to drop the petition wasn’t accidental. According to legal representatives for Senator Oketch, the withdrawal followed intense consultations with ODM Party Leader Senator Oburu Oginga and other top-tier party elders. The leadership reportedly invoked the legacy of the late Raila Odinga, emphasizing that the party’s survival in the post-Raila era depends on “dialogue over division.” By moving the conflict from the courtroom back to internal party mechanisms, ODM hopes to project a united front to its supporters across the country.
While Sifuna keeps his seat, it’s important to note that the withdrawal was “without prejudice.” This means the serious allegations leveled against him—including misconduct, indiscipline, and secret dealings with rival political parties—have not been dismissed. Oketch’s petition had previously painted a picture of a Secretary General whose actions were allegedly undermining the ODM constitution. By choosing internal resolution, Oketch is essentially giving the party’s disciplinary committee a chance to handle the “dirty laundry” behind closed doors.
Political analysts believe that external pressure also played a massive role in Sifuna’s survival. A formidable wing of Western Kenya leaders, led by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, had issued a chilling warning to the Orange House: “Touch Sifuna, and lose the Mulembe nation.” The threat of mass defections and the potential alienation of the Luhya community—a critical voting bloc for ODM—likely forced the party’s top brass to reconsider the optics of ousting the vocal Nairobi Senator.
ODM Director of Communication Philip Etale has confirmed that the party will not be moving to replace Sifuna anytime soon. However, this “temporary reprieve” suggests that the internal power struggles are far from over. As the party prepares for its next cycle of grassroots elections, the friction between the “young Turks” like Oketch and the established guard like Sifuna will be a key storyline to watch. For now, the Orange party has chosen stability, but the underlying tensions remain a ticking time bomb.
