Edwin Sifuna rejects ouster as ODM Secretary General, vows to fight in court
Edwin Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi faction said the NEC's decision resembled an earlier attempt made in February, which was also challenged and overturned.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. (Photo: Senate of Kenya)
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has vowed to challenge his ouster as ODM Secretary General, saying the National Executive Committee’s move was unprocedural, unfair and against the party’s constitution.
In a statement on Tuesday, Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi faction said the NEC's decision resembled an earlier attempt made in February, which was also challenged and overturned.
"Last evening, we were made aware of the decision by the ODM Party NEC purporting, for the second time, to remove the SG Edwin Sifuna from office. On the face of it, the decision bears similarities with the first one in February; unprocedural, unfair and contrary to the Party's Constitution," the faction stated.
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"After consultation with our legal teams earlier this morning, it has been decided to, once again, test the propriety of the purported ouster in the courts because we are convinced it should suffer the same fate as the first one in February."
On Monday, ODM officially removed Sifuna as the party’s Secretary General after the NEC approved recommendations by the Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM) committee.
The party said the committee was formed under Article 51(3)(f) of the ODM constitution to hear complaints against Sifuna.
“After going through the report and findings of the IDRM under Article 74(2) of the Party constitution, the NEC unanimously resolved to adopt the Committee’s recommendations and endorsed the removal from office of Senator Edwin Sifuna,” Acting SG Catherine Omanyo said. “Effectively, Sifuna ceases to be the SG of the ODM party.”
ODM said the decision followed rulings by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), allowing the disciplinary process to continue after earlier orders, stopping the ouster, were lifted.
It said Sifuna declined to appear before the IDRM committee after his lawyer, Senior Counsel Isaac Okero, raised concerns over alleged bias. The committee then proceeded with the matter in his absence, after which ODM said the PPDT directed the party to complete the disciplinary process.
Meanwhile, the Linda Mwananchi faction has postponed the Kisii and Keroka rallies scheduled for Friday, June 26, 2026, to Friday, July 3, 2026.
The group said it would join other Kenyans to stand in solidarity with victims of the Gen-Z protests of 2024 and their families, while remembering those who were killed or have forcefully disappeared.
"We are alert to potential police and state-sponsored brutality and violence against the victims and their families during the commemoration activities. We reasonably anticipate unlawful arrests during the peaceful commemoration events. Consequently, it will be necessary to remain vigilant and engaged during this period," Linda Mwananchi said.
The faction called on the police to ensure the safety and protection of all citizens taking part in the peaceful commemoration activities.
"We call upon the police to ensure the safety and protection of all citizens who will participate in the peaceful commemoration activities," read the statement in part.
The group also criticised the government’s decision to provide limited monetary assistance to victims and their families, saying compensation should be accompanied by justice and accountability.
"We are deeply disappointed by the government's decision to offer limited monetary assistance to the victims and their families without ensuring that justice is done and accountability upheld. The lack of transparency in the compensation process and the government's refusal to allow the constitutionally mandated bodies to oversee the process are compounding the pain of the victims and their families. There is no pathway to reconciliation and a commitment never to repeat the killings and injure innocent Kenyans," Linda Mwananchi said.