NAIROBI, Kenya — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has removed Edwin Sifuna from his position as Secretary General with immediate effect, following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Mombasa on Wednesday.
The session, chaired by party leader Dr Oburu Oginga, resolved to relieve Sifuna of his duties in accordance with the party constitution and applicable laws. The committee cited concerns over discipline within the party’s senior leadership.
ODM Deputy Secretary General and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo has been appointed acting Secretary General pending the election of a substantive office holder.
“The NEC expressed grave concern over the rising levels of indiscipline within the Party, particularly at the senior leadership level. The Committee underscored that ODM is governed by its Constitution, the rule of law, and collective decision-making through its duly constituted organs,” noted the party in a statement read by Omanyo.
“Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of the Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office with immediate effect in accordance with the Party Constitution and applicable laws. Effectively, the Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo will act in this position until a substantive holder of the position is elected.”
Coalition realignments
Beyond the leadership changes, the NEC adopted resolutions earlier passed by the party’s Central Committee, including formally mandating Oburu to lead negotiations on ODM’s pre-election coalition arrangements with other political parties.
The party said the talks would be guided by its ideological foundations, strategic priorities and the interests of its membership, signalling preparations for potential political realignments ahead of the next electoral cycle.
In a significant development, the NEC also resolved to initiate the formal process of withdrawing from the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, citing what it described as sustained breaches of the coalition’s Deed of Agreement by some partners.
According to the party, the move is intended to safeguard ODM’s autonomy, integrity and strategic direction.
The decision follows earlier remarks by Oburu questioning the viability of the Azimio coalition. He criticised recent changes made by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who previously served as Azimio chairman, arguing that ODM, as the coalition’s majority partner, should have been consulted before decisions were taken.
Legislative and reform agenda
The NEC also reviewed progress on implementing ODM’s 10-Point Agenda and the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, urging relevant institutions to remove bottlenecks slowing reform implementation.
The committee directed National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed to establish mechanisms ensuring that the proposed KSh450 billion allocation to counties becomes mandatory in the forthcoming supplementary budget, a move consistent with ODM’s longstanding push for enhanced devolution funding.
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On human rights, the party called on the national government to allocate sufficient resources in the supplementary budget to compensate victims of rights violations.
It proposed that the funds be channelled through the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to promote transparency and accountability.
Political implications
Sifuna’s removal marks a notable shift within ODM’s top leadership and comes amid intensifying political repositioning across Kenya’s opposition landscape.
Analysts say the developments could reshape opposition dynamics, particularly if ODM formally exits Azimio and enters new coalition negotiations.
The NEC resolutions suggest a broader internal restructuring as the party recalibrates its strategy in anticipation of future political alliances.
