ODM: Sifuna out, Omanyo in as NEC cracks the whip

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ODM on Wednesday removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Secretary-General during a charged National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa, reshaping the party’s leadership and political direction in one sweep.

Deputy Secretary-General and Busia Woman Representative, Dr Catherine Omanyo announced the decision after hours of tense waiting by journalists and members.

The NEC directly addressed what it termed rising indiscipline within senior party ranks.

“Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of the Secretary-General, Senator Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office with immediate effect in accordance with the party constitution and applicable laws,” Dr Omanyo said.

She confirmed that the Deputy Secretary-General will act in the position until members elect a substantive office holder.

The statement did not specify the precise conduct that led to Mr Sifuna’s removal.

However, earlier Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga had hinted at a 'bad behaviour' where people in top leadership held contradicting views to party stand on important issues.

The decision nonetheless marks a major shift inside ODM, where the Nairobi Senator has served as one of the party’s most visible national voices.

Coalition control handed to party leader

The NEC unanimously adopted resolutions that the Central Committee passed on January 12, 2026.

The committee formally mandated the party leader to lead and oversee negotiations on ODM’s pre-election coalition arrangements with other political formations.

Dr Omanyo said the party leader will anchor those talks on ODM’s ideological foundations, strategic interests and the aspirations of its membership.

With that move, ODM centralised coalition strategy at the top, signalling tighter command as political realignments intensify.

The NEC also resolved to initiate the formal process of withdrawing from the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya coalition.

The committee reviewed recent developments within Azimio and concluded that certain coalition partners had violated the founding deed of agreement.

“In order to safeguard the integrity, autonomy and strategic direction of ODM, the NEC resolved to initiate the formal process of withdrawal in accordance with the applicable legal and constitutional provisions,” Dr Omanyo stated.

That decision could significantly alter opposition politics and force fresh negotiations ahead of the next general election.

On devolution, the NEC directed Leader of Minority Junet Mohamed to institute mechanisms to ensure the proposed Sh450 billion allocation to counties becomes mandatory in the supplementary budget.

The party also pressed the national government to allocate funds to compensate victims of human rights violations.

The NEC instructed that authorities channel those funds through the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights to guarantee transparency and timely.

ODM will hold a National Delegates Convention in Nairobi on March 26, 2026.

Delegates will deliberate on the party’s strategic direction, ratify key organ decisions and prepare for the next general election cycle.