The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as Secretary General following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Mombasa on Wednesday.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the party said the decision was reached after deliberations concerning Sifuna’s conduct.
“After reviewing matters relating to the conduct of the Secretary General, Senator Edwin Sifuna, the NEC has resolved to relieve him of his duties with immediate effect, in line with the party constitution and applicable laws,” the statement said.
The committee cited growing concerns over discipline within the party, particularly among senior leaders, stressing that ODM operates under its constitution, the rule of law and decisions made through its established organs.
Catherine Omanyo, one of the Deputy Secretaries General, will serve in an acting capacity until a substantive Secretary General is elected.
Sifuna has recently been associated with a faction within ODM that has opposed the party’s engagement talks with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), intensifying internal divisions within the two-decade-old political outfit.
In a related development, individuals believed to be aligned with Sifuna, including MP Saboti Amisi and Rift Valley ODM stalwart Kipkorir Menjo, were reportedly removed from the NEC WhatsApp group earlier this week. By Wednesday morning, Amisi, Menjo and Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma had also been dropped from the NEC.
Amisi has since vowed to contest the decision, terming it irregular and procedurally flawed. Speaking to Radio Generation, the MP claimed he was notified of his removal before the NEC formally convened to deliberate on the matter.
“They have removed me from the NEC, that was their target,” Amisi said.
He further stated that he received a letter informing him of his removal while simultaneously congratulating him on his appointment as a county chair, raising questions about the process.
The latest meeting marks the second NEC sitting since the death of longtime party leader Raila Odinga in October last year. During its previous session, the committee appointed Oburu Oginga to succeed Raila, a move that bypassed the party’s three deputy leaders.
