Motion to oust Sifuna as ODM Secretary-General withdrawn

By Newsflash Reporter

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has been granted a reprieve after Migori Senator Eddy Oketch withdrew a letter seeking his removal from the party’s top administrative position.

The reversal came on Tuesday, just a day after Oketch had instructed his lawyers to file a protest letter demanding Sifuna’s ouster, alleging that the Nairobi senator had shown disrespect toward party leadership.

Filed through Aguko Osman and Company Advocates, the initial motion accused Sifuna of gross misconduct and insubordination toward ODM’s top hierarchy, raising tensions within the party. The withdrawn letter, dated January 5, 2026, had been addressed to ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga and outlined allegations that the Secretary-General had violated party rules and undermined its objectives.

Consultations lead to dialogue

In his letter to Wanga, Oketch explained that he had reconsidered his position following consultations with senior party officials, including party leader Oburu Oginga.

He said these discussions convinced him that dialogue, rather than confrontation, was the most appropriate way to settle internal disagreements. “Following wide consultations with Party Leader Hon. Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, and with utmost respect to the spirit of the founding Party Leader, the late H.E. Raila Amollo Odinga, who embraced dialogue even with his fiercest opponents, we have received further instructions…” the letter read.

Oketch indicated that he would now pursue the resolution of his grievances through established party mechanisms, invoking Article 16(1)(g) of the ODM Constitution. This provision vests powers in the party leader to facilitate amicable resolution of disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), underscoring the commitment to handling disagreements internally. He also called on Oginga to exercise his mandate to protect the party and its members, claiming that Sifuna’s actions had subjected them to unwarranted attacks.

Allegations and party tensions

The withdrawn motion had accused Sifuna of violating the party’s constitution, promoting the ideology or policies of other political formations, breaching the code of conduct, and defying lawful decisions made by ODM organs.

Oketch cited Sifuna’s recent public statements on confidential ODM matters, including the sourcing and allocation of party funds during Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful 2022 presidential campaign. In particular, Sifuna had made allegations against Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, which Oketch argued exposed internal party affairs and damaged ODM’s public image.

He also accused Sifuna of publicly denying the party’s role in the broad-based government arrangement, claims that he said undermined ODM’s cohesion and objectives. Based on these allegations, the motion had called for Sifuna’s immediate de-whipping from parliamentary leadership positions, removal from the party register, and potential disciplinary action up to expulsion.

The withdrawal comes amid mounting criticism of Sifuna’s conduct within ODM, growing factional divisions, and speculation over a possible leadership shake-up following Raila Odinga’s death in 2025, highlighting the party’s ongoing struggle to maintain unity and internal discipline.