How ODM has mortgaged its independence by removing Sifuna

Cracks in ODM deepened yesterday as the faction led by party leader Oburu Oginga  announced the removal of its controversial Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna.

Sifuna's ouster had long been anticipated, but carrying it out proved a herculean task for the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) in Mombasa due to its far reaching ramification.

NEC members had earlier indicated that the meeting to remove Sifuna and other anti-ODM-UDA political allies would take about an hour, from 11am to 12pm. However, the session extended to seven hourss.

Sources at the meeting said the ratification of Sifuna’s removal was delayed after some NEC members, expected to back the ouster of the controversial Secretary General, seen as a thorn in the side of the broad-based government, stonewalled.

There were concerns that his removal could rally massive support for him in the western region, similar to the backlash following former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, and potentially weaken ODM’s influence.

Other NEC members, including Ruth Odinga, noted that  Sifuna’s ouster was not on the official meeting agenda. She warned that his removal could expose the party to serious legal challenges.

Another insider said that fears the expulsion of so-called ODM rebels might destabilize the party led Oburu to allocate extra time for deliberations.

“Members such as Suna East MP Junet Mohamed were determined to push Sifuna out. They said they would deal with the consequences later. It is now a wait-and-see on whether Sifuna will take the matter to court,” said a NEC member.

He added, “It almost became a Jaramogi Oginga family issue, as Ruth opposed Sifuna’s ouster. Oburu, however, was determined to put the matter to rest.”

Oburu was reportedly angry with Sifuna over his opposition to the 2027 coalition talks between ODM and UDA, saying the senator had resisted a decision ratified last month by the NEC in Kilifi.

“Whether he likes it or not, ODM members will vote for President Ruto in 2027. Who is he (Sifuna) to claim that the party will collapse without him?” Oburu reportedly told NEC members.

“If someone is allowed to continue lying, he can easily mislead our members or poison the party. Why give him the latitude to wreck it from within?” said Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro.

Sifuna was replaced in an acting capacity by his deputy and Busia Woman’s Rep, Catherine Omanyo.

The Oburu team said they would not tolerate the Nairobi senator, who allegedly used his party position for personal political gains at a time the party is preparing for the general election.

In a statement issued after a daylong, tension-packed NEC meeting at Pride Inn Paradise Resort in Mombasa County, the party said Sifuna was removed for defying party discipline.

“Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office with immediate effect, in accordance with the party constitution and applicable laws. The deputy secretary general, Catherine Omanyo, will act in this position until a substantive holder is elected,” the statement read.

In a statement read by Omanyo last evening, the NEC team—including Oburu, ODM chairman Gladys Wanga, deputy chairmen Abdulswamad Nassir and Simba Arati, and Junet Mohamed—said it was concerned about the level of indiscipline within the party, particularly among senior leadership.

“The committee underscored that ODM is governed by its constitution, the rule of law, and collective decision-making through its duly constituted organs,” the leaders said.

Later, while addressing delegates, Nassir said the party leadership was worried that Sifuna had publicly contradicted party decisions, undermining party unity.

An angry member added that there was no room for contradictions as the party prepared for “the war zone,” warning that such behaviour threatened ODM’s growth and success.

“It is wrong for someone to challenge party decisions in public. We are headed to the war zone; this behaviour is like shooting ourselves from within. We have no room for such freedom,” he said.

Nassir said anyone wishing to challenge the leadership at the National Delegates Convention (NDC), scheduled for March 27 in Nairobi, was welcome to do so.

Others reacted to Sifuna’s ouster, including former CS Moses Kuria, who urged him to align with either side of the political divide.

“The 2027 election will be the most bipolar in the last 35 years. There will be no option of driving on the service lane. That is the reality. Let everyone, including Sifuna, pick their jerseys from the two options available,” said Kuria.

The NEC mandated Oburu to lead and oversee negotiations on pre-election coalition arrangements with other political parties and formations, guided by ODM’s ideological foundations, strategic interests and the aspirations of its membership.

The party leadership also received and discussed the NaDCO report, the party’s 10-point agenda and the work of the committee tasked with overseeing its implementation.

Leaders called on stakeholders and political parties to address the challenges slowing progress and reforms.

ODM further resolved to make the allocation of Sh450 billion to counties mandatory.

“In this regard, the NEC mandated Hon. Junet Mohamed to institute mechanisms ensuring that the proposed allocation of Sh450 billion to counties is made mandatory in the supplementary budget,” the statement said.

The party also called for the speedy compensation of victims of human rights violations, with funds channeled through the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

“The NEC reiterated its unwavering commitment to justice and accountability. It called upon the national government to provide adequate funds in the forthcoming supplementary budget to facilitate compensation of victims of human rights violations and derogations,” the statement added.

The NDC will deliberate on the party’s strategic direction, ratify key decisions of its organs, and prepare ODM for the forthcoming general election.

Regarding recent leadership changes in the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition, engineered by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM resolved to initiate the formal process of withdrawal. The party claimed its partners had acted in violation of the deed of agreement that established the coalition.

“In light of these sustained breaches and to safeguard the integrity, autonomy, and strategic direction of ODM, the NEC resolved to initiate the formal process of withdrawal from the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition in accordance with applicable legal and constitutional provisions,” the statement concluded.

Earlier, Oburu described Azimio as a moribund coalition, expressing concern over how other partners scheduled ODM’s removal from it.

Like last month’s NEC meeting in Kilifi, Sifuna was conspicuously absent yesterday. Hundreds of youths gathered near the hotel in Shanzu, chanting anti-Sifuna and anti-United Opposition slogans.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said it was immoral for anyone to challenge Oburu’s election as party leader, noting that he was confirmed ODM supreme leader by party delegates.

The standoff reflects two parallel grassroots mobilisation initiatives, exposing sharp divisions within the party. Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and other leaders recently launched the “Linda Mwananchi” tours, which began in Busia County last Sunday.

Osotsi was also absent from the NEC meeting.

The “Linda Mwananchi” campaign ran alongside a rival outreach, “Linda Ground,” led by ODM’s Oburu and Chairperson Gladys Wanga in counties including Kisumu, Kakamega, and Busia.

Sifuna has publicly distanced himself from the “Linda Ground” activities, saying they were organised and funded outside official party channels.