Edwin Sifuna Challenges ODM Ouster, Heads Back to Court
A fresh legal showdown is looming within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna announced plans to return to court to challenge a decision by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to remove him as Secretary General.
The latest development escalates an ongoing power struggle within ODM, pitting Sifuna and his allies in the Linda Mwananchi movement against a faction aligned with party leadership. The dispute highlights deepening divisions within Kenya’s largest opposition party at a time when political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election are gathering momentum.
On Monday, ODM’s top leadership announced that the National Executive Committee had adopted recommendations from the party’s Internal Disputes Resolution Committee, resulting in Sifuna’s removal from the influential Secretary General position.
According to ODM officials, the NEC unanimously endorsed the committee’s recommendation, arguing that party officials must remain accountable to the party constitution and internal disciplinary processes.
However, Sifuna and his allies have dismissed the decision as unlawful, unconstitutional, and procedurally flawed. Speaking on Tuesday, the Nairobi Senator insisted that the latest attempt to remove him mirrors a similar effort made earlier this year that was successfully overturned by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT).
Sifuna argued that the current decision bears striking similarities to the February case, which the tribunal nullified after finding that ODM had failed to accord him a fair hearing before removing him from office. He maintained that the party had once again failed to follow due process and had acted contrary to its own constitution.
The senator’s allies within the Linda Mwananchi movement accused ODM leadership of attempting to silence dissenting voices within the party. They argued that the NEC resolution is legally unsustainable and expressed confidence that the courts would once again invalidate the decision.
The dispute dates back to February when ODM accused Sifuna of repeatedly contradicting positions taken by party organs and leadership. At the time, the party moved to remove him from office, citing disciplinary concerns. However, Sifuna challenged the decision before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, which ruled in his favor.
The tribunal found that ODM had not provided sufficient evidence that Sifuna had been notified of disciplinary proceedings against him. It also noted that discussions regarding his conduct were not included in the agenda of the NEC meeting that purportedly removed him from office, rendering the process unfair and procedurally defective.
With ODM now making a second attempt to remove him, Sifuna maintains that the party has failed to correct the legal shortcomings identified by the tribunal. He says he expects the courts to reach a similar conclusion and overturn the latest resolution.
The renewed battle is expected to test ODM’s internal governance structures and could have significant implications for the party’s unity as political factions continue to emerge within its ranks. It also places renewed focus on the balance between party discipline and the rights of elected officials to express divergent political views.
As the matter heads back to court, attention will shift to whether ODM followed the necessary constitutional and procedural requirements in its latest disciplinary action, and whether the judiciary will once again intervene in the party’s internal affairs.
The outcome of the case could shape not only Sifuna’s political future but also the broader direction of ODM as it navigates internal tensions ahead of the next election cycle.
