Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna refuses to quit ODM Secretary-General post

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Thursday categorically stated that he refuses to accept his removal as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a decision reached by the National Executive Council (NEC).

Mr Sifuna said that he is still the properly elected holder of the post, even though NEC decided to sack him, after a meeting in Mombasa.

In a presser at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Thursday, Senator Sifuna called the decision wrong and said the way it happened was unfair and caused splits.

“I remain a loyal member and the duly elected Secretary General of the ODM party,” Mr Sifuna declared, adding, “I remain committed to the struggle for a fair, just and democratic Kenya.”

NEC said it had decided to remove him from the role with immediate effect, citing his behaviour and going against the deliberations of the party.

“Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office effective immediately,” the resolution read.

Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, who is the Deputy Secretary General, will serve as acting SG, as ODM looks forward to holding a National Delegates Conference (NDC) on March 26, 2026, to ratify NEC decisions.

ODM said the senator often went against the party’s official views and put his own ideas first, even though he held one of its strongest roles.

But Sifuna said his removal happened because he strongly opposed any links between ODM and President William Ruto before the 2027 election.

“As far as internal differences in opinion go, my only cry is that I have refused and opposed any plans and schemes within the party to support President Ruto’s re-election,” he said.

He said his view had always been clear and right. 

He added, “I have held and continue to keep the firm position that this country cannot afford another five years of this expensive and incompetent Ruto misadventure.”

The senator also criticised recent changes in the party’s leadership, especially putting Dr Oburu Oginga in as the new party leader after Raila Odinga died on October 15, 2025.

Mr Sifuna said the change did not follow the party rules.

“The new party leader was installed unprocedurally and unconstitutionally,” he claimed, arguing that such actions undermined the party’s democratic foundations.

He added that “these shortcuts and unlawful actions reflect bad manners that progressive institutions and individuals pick up when they get cosy with President Ruto,” suggesting that ODM’s internal troubles were linked to broader political realignments.

Sifuna had support from several senior ODM members during his speech, including embattled Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga Senator), Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and East African Legislative Assembly MP Winnie Odinga, who is dauhter to the late former prime minister.

Senator Osotsi said he was surprised with the unfoldings in the party, affirming that his outburst that ODM was being controlled by State House.

“ODM Charrperson called me and connected the phone so that I spoke to party leader Dr Oginga, who requested that we meet. I told him that the Secretary General, Mr Sifuna must be present. But when we met, Dr Oginga showed up with Suna East MP Junet Mohamed,” Osotsi said.

He added  that they had agreed to delay the NEC meeting so that reconciliations could continue, but “our wing is surprised to see that the NEC meeting was held”.

The Sifuna wing said they will hold Linda Mwananchi tours, starting with the Kitengela rally on Sunday.

“We should not allow unprocedural takeover of our party by President Ruto. We want to rally our supporters to stand firm,” Senator Osotsi said.

With Sifuna refusing to leave and the NEC keeping to its choice, focus now turns to the NDC.

The meeting will let party delegates choose officials and perhaps solve the fight that could make divisions in one of Kenya’s biggest political parties even worse.