The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has directed Edwin Sifuna and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to resolve their dispute internally before pursuing further legal action.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, the tribunal instructed both parties to utilise ODM’s Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM) and engage in the process in good faith.

“The complainant and the first respondent shall attempt to resolve the dispute through the party’s IDRM mechanisms,” the tribunal ordered.

As part of the directive, the tribunal also barred ODM from forwarding Sifuna’s removal as Secretary General to the Registrar of Political Parties until internal efforts to resolve the matter are exhausted.

Sifuna had moved to the tribunal challenging his removal from the influential Secretary General position, arguing that the decision violated both the party constitution and the Political Parties Act.

He also claimed he was not given a fair hearing before the decision was made and sought to stop its implementation.

The tribunal had earlier issued interim orders suspending the ODM National Executive Committee (NEC) resolution of February 11, 2026, which removed him from office.

In the latest ruling, Acting PPDT chair Gad Gathu emphasised that any disciplinary process within ODM must strictly follow the party constitution and relevant laws.

At the same time, the tribunal noted that the dispute highlights the importance of strengthening internal democracy within political parties.

“This is a situation that calls for the tribunal to exercise inherent jurisdiction… to strengthen internal political party democracy,” the ruling stated.

The tribunal ultimately struck out the case, directing each party to bear its own legal costs.

However, it left the door open for either side to return to the tribunal if the dispute remains unresolved after exhausting internal party mechanisms.

The decision now shifts the focus back to ODM’s internal structures, where the fate of Sifuna’s position is expected to be determined.