By Perez Karisa, June 23, 2026
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has formally removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as the party’s Secretary-General, bringing to a climax months of simmering tensions within the opposition outfit over its relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.
The decision was reached during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at Chungwa House on Monday and chaired by ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga. The meeting was also attended by ODM leader Oburu Odinga and other senior party officials.
According to party insiders, the NEC unanimously adopted recommendations made by the Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC), which had been tasked with investigating allegations of gross misconduct against Sifuna.
The move marks one of the most significant leadership changes within ODM in recent years and underscores growing divisions over the party’s cooperation with the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration.
Sifuna, who has been among the most vocal critics of ODM’s engagement with President William Ruto and the possibility of a coalition arrangement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), is accused by sections of the party leadership of spearheading a rebel faction opposed to the broad-based political arrangement.
The Nairobi Senator had previously challenged attempts to remove him through the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), securing a temporary reprieve after the tribunal found procedural irregularities in the initial disciplinary process. However, the tribunal maintained that party officials remain subject to internal disciplinary mechanisms, paving the way for ODM to revisit the matter while adhering to due process.
Following the latest decision, ODM Deputy Secretary-General Catherine Omanyo has been appointed acting Secretary-General pending substantive party elections.
Despite losing one of the most powerful positions in the party hierarchy, Sifuna remains an ODM member and continues to serve as the elected Senator for Nairobi County.
Political observers view the development as a reflection of the widening ideological divide within ODM over its future direction and its evolving relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The ouster is expected to trigger fresh political debate within the party and could potentially influence ongoing realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election, with analysts predicting further internal contests as various factions seek to consolidate influence within the Raila Odinga-founded movement.
Neither Sifuna nor his allies had officially responded to the decision by the time of publication, although his supporters have previously maintained that his criticism of the broad-based arrangement was intended to preserve ODM’s identity as a distinct political force.
The latest development comes amid wider restructuring within the party as leaders seek to position ODM for future political engagements while balancing cooperation with the government and maintaining its traditional opposition credentials.
