Sifuna: I will contest my ‘illegal’ removal in court

By Newsflash Writer

Ousted Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna now says he remains duly in office and will contest his “illegal” removal in court.

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday, February 12, Sifuna, who is also the Nairobi Senator, declared that he would move to court to challenge the decision announced on Wednesday by ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC), following a meeting held in Mombasa.

The NEC appointed Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, who has been serving as the Deputy Secretary-General, as the acting Secretary-General.

“We shall challenge every illegality in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. Surrender is not an option for us,” said Sifuna.

Sifuna maintained that at no time had he been informed or summoned over alleged indiscipline within the party’s leadership. He insisted that he would not back down in the face of the opposition he is currently facing, saying the late Raila Odinga did not raise cowards.

“ODM is bigger than any individual,” said Sifuna.

Leaders rally behind Sifuna

During the press briefing, Sifuna was flanked by several senior ODM leaders, including Raila Odinga’s daughter and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga, ODM Deputy Party Leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, among others.

Orengo maintained that Sifuna remains the legitimate holder of the position despite the changes announced by the NEC.

“The Secretary General of ODM is Edwin Sifuna. Senator Sifuna has served the party for nearly ten years and has been with Raila Odinga at very critical and crucial moments, including running the affairs of the party in two elections; 2017 and 2022. There is no time that Raila rebuked Sifuna in private and in public as the SG of the party,” said Orengo.

Dispute over NEC meeting

Babu also criticized the process that led to Sifuna’s removal, questioning the legitimacy of the Mombasa meeting.

“The meeting in Mombasa was illegal. It was a kangaroo meeting set up to remove the current Secretary General of the party.”

The unfolding dispute signals deepening divisions within the opposition party, setting the stage for a legal and political showdown over the leadership of ODM and its continued dalliance with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ahead of the 2027 general election.