Court temporarily stops Sifuna’s ouster as ODM Secretary-General

By Newsflash Reporter

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has secured a temporary reprieve after the High Court halted his removal from the position of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Secretary-General.

In a ruling issued on Thursday, February 12, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal directed the immediate suspension of the gazettement of Sifuna’s ouster pending the hearing and determination of the case.

“That pending the hearing and determination of this instant application, inter partes, this honourable tribunal hereby issues orders staying the implementation of the Resolution made by the National Executive Committee of the Orange Democratic Movement Party,” the court ruled.

“That pending the hearing and determination of this instant application, inter portes, this honourable tribunal hereby issues an order restraining the respondents from publishing in the Kenya gazette the resolution made on February 11, 2026 remove Edwin Sifuna as the Secretary General of the Party,” it added.

The tribunal also scheduled the mention of the petition lodged against the ODM party and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) for February 26, this year.

Court halts implementation of NEC resolution

The court’s directive came just hours after the Nairobi legislator filed a petition contesting the ODM National Executive Committee’s (NEC) decision made a day earlier to remove him from his position within the party.

Speaking to the press earlier in the day, Sifuna launched a sharp response against the party’s leadership, describing the decision to dismiss him as illegal and pledging to challenge the move through legal channels.

“I have taken note of the announcement made by a section of the ODM National Executive Committee in Mombasa yesterday purporting to remove me from the position of secretary general of ODM,” he stated.

“Let me state without fear of contradiction that this action is unlawful, unprocedural and a blatant violation of the ODM constitution as well as the principles of natural justice,” Sifuna affirmed.

Sifuna terms move a political witch hunt

He further argued that the decision to remove him was politically motivated, claiming it was driven by his refusal to support President William Ruto’s leadership. According to him, there is no lawful justification for his dismissal from the role he has occupied for more than nine years.

“My only crime is that I have refused and opposed any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto’s re-election because I have held the firm position that this country cannot afford another five years of divisive misadventures,” the legislator noted.

ODM explains reason for ouster

The latest developments follow a resolution by ODM’s NEC to remove Sifuna from the position of party Secretary-General with immediate effect and appoint Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo as his replacement.

The NEC, chaired by ODM party leader Oburu Odinga, cited concerns related to discipline and leadership conduct allegedly linked to Sifuna.

Omanyo was appointed to serve in an acting capacity pending the election of a substantive officeholder.

“The National Executive Council (NEC) expressed concern over rising levels of indiscipline within the party, especially within senior leadership positions,” a statement from ODM’s NEC read.

“Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office effective immediately,” it added.