A fresh turmoil has erupted within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna rejected his removal from office and immediately launched what appears to be a political counter-offensive.
Just hours after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) announced his ouster in Mombasa, Sifuna addressed supporters in Nairobi, dismissing the decision as “illegal and unprocedural” and vowing to challenge it in court.
The Nairobi Senator has accused a faction within the party of attempting to silence dissent. He was flanked by Winnie Odinga, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino,
“At no time have I been informed of any allegations against me… Neither have I been invited to respond to any complaints,” Sifuna said, arguing that no lawful party organ had subjected him to a hearing.
Sifuna linked the move to his outspoken opposition to any plan to support President William Ruto’s re-election, describing that position as his only “crime.”
“My only crime is that I oppose any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto’s re-election,” he said, sharply criticising the current administration.
The show of solidarity around him underscored widening fault lines within ODM. Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi vowed to defend what he termed Raila Odinga’s legacy, accusing an Oburu-led faction of being influenced to “kill” the party from within. Babu Owino described Sifuna as a victim of internal victimisation for defending the downtrodden, claiming that the rival camp had effectively “declared war” within ODM.
In a further escalation, Sifuna announced plans for a major political rally in Kitengela, Kajiado County, signalling that the battle will not be confined to courtrooms but will also play out in the public arena.
The NEC, in its earlier resolution, had cited concerns over discipline and leadership conduct in removing Sifuna and appointed Deputy Secretary-General Catherine Omanyo to serve in an acting capacity.
With both sides digging in, ODM now faces a deepening internal crisis that could reshape its leadership structure and political direction in the months ahead.
Leave a Reply