NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has announced plans to challenge the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) decision to remove him as the party’s Secretary-General, escalating a growing internal dispute that has exposed divisions within Kenya’s largest opposition party.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 23, leaders aligned to the Linda Mwananchi faction dismissed the decision by ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as unconstitutional and vowed to contest it through the courts.
The statement was delivered by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, who argued that the party leadership had repeated procedural mistakes that previously led to a similar decision being overturned by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT).
“Late last evening, we were made aware of the decision of the ODM NEC purporting for the second time to remove Secretary General Edwin Sifuna from office. On the face of it, the decision is similar to the one made in February, which was unfair and unconstitutional,” Omondi said.
Faction cites previous tribunal ruling
The faction maintained that the latest move was legally flawed and expressed confidence that the courts would once again invalidate the decision.
“We are convinced to test the propriety of the purported ouster in court because we believe it should suffer the same fate as the February ouster,” Omondi added.
The announcement sets the stage for another legal battle over Sifuna’s position, just days after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal ruled that he had not been accorded a fair hearing during an earlier attempt to remove him from office.
Linda Mwananchi rallies postponed
The group also announced the postponement of planned Linda Mwananchi rallies in Kisii and Keroka, which had been scheduled for June 26.
According to the faction, the events have been pushed to July 3 to allow members and supporters to join Kenyans commemorating the first anniversary of the 2025 Gen Z protests.
“We wish to inform our members, supporters, and the country at large that our Linda Mwananchi rallies scheduled for June 26 have been postponed to July 3. We will join Kenyans in standing in solidarity with the victims of the Gen Z protests,” the statement said.
The leaders also voiced concern over reports of potential heavy-handed policing during the planned commemorative protests, urging security agencies to exercise restraint.
They warned against what they described as the possible use of excessive force and called for the protection of constitutional rights, including freedom of assembly and expression.
ODM deepens internal disciplinary action
The latest developments come a day after ODM’s National Executive Committee formally endorsed recommendations from the party’s Internal Disputes Resolution Committee, resulting in Sifuna’s removal as Secretary-General.
The decision was reached during a meeting at Chungwa House chaired by ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga.
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Party officials said the disciplinary action followed investigations into complaints lodged against Sifuna in his capacity as Secretary-General.
ODM has maintained that due process was followed and that Sifuna was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations through his legal representatives before the committee made its recommendations.
Growing tensions within ODM
Sifuna’s removal has intensified tensions within ODM at a time when the party continues to navigate its evolving relationship with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
The Nairobi senator has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of ODM’s cooperation agreement with the government, frequently expressing reservations about the arrangement and its implications for the party’s identity as an opposition movement.
His supporters argue that the disciplinary action is politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissenting voices within the party, while ODM leaders insist the matter is purely an issue of internal discipline and accountability.
The dispute is expected to move to the courts in the coming days, potentially setting up another high-profile legal confrontation over leadership and governance within the opposition party.
