Removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna As Orange Democratic Movement Secretary General Stopped

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has stopped the removal Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Secretary General. The Tribunal stayed the implementation of a resolution passed by ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on February 11, 2026, seeking to remove Sifuna as Secretary General of the party. The Tribunal further barred the respondents from publishing the resolution in the Kenya Gazette, a critical step that would have formalised and effected his removal. The orders will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the application on an inter partes basis. The decision marks a significant reprieve for Sifuna, coming just a day after the NEC announced its resolution to oust him from the powerful party position. His removal had triggered intense political debate within ODM ranks, with allies terming the move irregular and politically motivated. While addressing the press earlier today, the legislator launched a counterattack against the party's leadership, terming the move to dismiss him as unlawful and vowing to challenge it in court. "I have taken note of the announcement made by a section of the ODM National Executive Committee in Mombasa yesterday purporting to remove me from the position of secretary general of ODM," he stated. "Let me state without fear of contradiction that this action is unlawful, unprocedural and a blatant violation of the ODM constitution as well as the principles of natural justice," Sifuna affirmed. He further claimed that the removal was a witch hunt for not supporting President William Ruto's leadership, and nothing lawfully warrants his removal from the role he has held for over nine years. "My only crime is that I have refused and opposed any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto's re-election because I have held the firm position that this country cannot afford another five years of divisive misadventures," the legislator noted. The latest developments come a day after ODM's NEC resolved to remove Sifuna from the party secretary general position with immediate effect and replace him with Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo. The NEC, chaired by ODM party leader Oburu Odinga, cited concerns about discipline and leadership conduct raised against Sifuna, with Omanyo appointed to serve in an acting capacity pending the election of a substantive officeholder. "The National Executive Council (NEC) expressed concern over rising levels of indiscipline within the party, especially within senior leadership positions," a statement from ODM's NEC read. "Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office effective immediately," it added. By freezing both the implementation and gazettement of the resolution, the Tribunal has effectively reinstated and protected Sifuna’s position at least temporarily until the dispute is fully heard and determined.