Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has issued a statement clarifying his position hours after being removed as ODM Secretary-General.
In a public speech on February 12, Senator Sifuna stated that he opposes the decision by the ODM faction supporting President William Ruto in the recent Broad-Based Government.
Sifuna stated that he remains the ODM party General, stating that the decision to oust him from his position is illegal and unconstitutional.
Sifuna Lashes Back
Sifuna expanded on his position by arguing that no lawful party organ had summoned him, informed him of wrongdoing, or given him a chance to defend himself.
He said there were no accusations of indiscipline, insubordination, or failure to perform his duties as Secretary General, adding that any attempt to remove him without due process violated the ODM constitution.
“Let me state without fear of contradiction that this action is illegal and procedural and a serious violation of the ODM constitution as well as the principles of natural justice. Neither have I been invited to respond to any complaints in and out of the party on any matter that would constitute grounds for removal of a Secretary General,” Sifuna stated.
He described the move as a coordinated effort by a faction inside ODM that, according to him, has aligned itself with President William Ruto in the broad‑based government arrangement.
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Sifuna said he has openly rejected any plan to associate ODM with Ruto’s re‑election bid, insisting that the decision goes against the values the party has defended for decades.
The Nairobi Senator said his stand on resisting cooperation with Ruto did not begin recently, stating that former party leader Raila Odinga had known and accepted his reasons long before his death, and that Raila would not have agreed to what Sifuna called attempts to turn ODM into an extension of State House.
A Divided ODM
Sifuna said his struggle was not about retaining a title but about defending ODM as a democratic institution.
He also noted that several senior figures within the party had tried to mediate the widening rift. Party trustees, Ida Odinga, and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga were among those he said had pushed for unity until a National Delegates Convention is held.
According to Sifuna, there are plans by several members of the ODM party who feel that the party lacks proper leadership to destroy the party, instead of leaving amicably.
“As I said in Busia, Raila did not raise cowards. He did not teach us to run away from hardship or challenges, but to confront them head on. Our party constitution places a responsibility on us to fight for ODM and fight we shall. Through all lawful means, we shall fight for this great institution until the very end,” Sifuna said.
Several ODM leaders stood with Sifuna and criticised the manner in which the changes were announced.
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Siaya Governor James Orengo, along with MPs Caleb Amisi and Babu Owino, attended the event and backed Sifuna’s position, saying the party had entered a dangerous moment.
Amisi said the attempted leadership overhaul amounted to a “coup” inside ODM.
He revealed he had also been removed as Deputy Organising Secretary through a WhatsApp message, a move he termed illegal and contrary to the party constitution, which requires a formal NEC resolution before any national official can be dismissed.
Amisi warned that the party’s internal democracy was now “on trial,” comparing the moment to global warnings issued when democratic norms are undermined.
Amisi called on supporters to remain calm, saying the group would continue taking their message to the grassroots and defend the ideals of the late Raila Odinga.
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He wants to serve by force