Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Senator Eddy Oketch has petitioned the party to expel Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, accusing him of sabotaging ODM’s participation in government and negotiating with rival parties.
Oketch filed the complaint on Monday, January 5, through Aguko, Osman and Company Advocates, asking the party to suspend Sifuna, strip him of parliamentary leadership roles, and either declare him to have resigned or begin disciplinary proceedings leading to expulsion.
The petition, addressed to ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga and copied to the Central Committee and disciplinary committee, alleges Sifuna repeatedly violated the party constitution and the Political Parties Act by associating with perceived rival parties while acting as secretary general and spokesperson.
“By promoting the ideology, interests or policies of another political party, the member shall be deemed to have resigned from that party,” the petition states, citing Section 14A of the Political Parties Act.
Oketch also accuses Sifuna, who serves as Nairobi senator, deputy minority whip in the Senate, and secretary general since February 2018, of opposing ODM’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration.
The party joined the broad-based government after four senior members took Cabinet positions in July 2024, formalized with a memorandum of understanding signed in March 2025.
The complaint further alleges Sifuna usurped powers reserved for the party leader, made unilateral statements on coalition matters, and disclosed confidential information, including details of the 2022 presidential campaign, damaging ODM’s image.
The petition follows
Sifuna’s attendance at the funeral of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s mother on January 3, where he joined former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and opposition figures, accusing some ODM leaders of mismanaging campaign funds.
Oketch asked ODM to suspend Sifuna from party duties, de-whip him from parliamentary roles, and remove him from the party register, or initiate disciplinary proceedings that could lead to expulsion if found culpable.
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