Edwin Sifuna Gives Way Forward After Removal as ODM Secretary General

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has spoken out for the first time after the Orange Democratic Movement’s National Executive Committee resolved to strip him of his role as Secretary-General.

His remarks came just hours after the party’s top decision-making organ announced the move, marking a major development in the unfolding internal power struggle within ODM.

Speaking to the press on February 12, Sifuna said

“Whatever actions I take, I will do so knowing that I have never let down my leader, Raila. We shall fight for ODM; surrender is not an option for us. I remain a loyal member and the duly elected Secretary-General of ODM. I am grateful to all of you for the messages of support,” Sifuna said.

“As I said in Busia, Raila did not raise cowards; he taught us to face challenges head-on.”

He added,”I remain committed to my party,this is not about politics, it’s about integrity.Raila taught us to never compromise.We will be back to grassroots bigger than ever starting from Sunday in Kitengela.”

Edwin Sifuna Rejects ODM Internal Schemes to Support Ruto Re-election

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has strongly rejected any internal party plans to back President William Ruto’s re-election. Speaking during a press briefing, Sifuna said:

“As far as internal differences in opinion go, my only crime is that I refuse and oppose any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto’s re-election because I have held and continued to hold the firm position that this country cannot afford another five years of this expensive, incompetent, divisive and disastrous Ruto misadventure.”

Also Read:Orengo Rejects ODM Orders, Reinstates Sifuna as Secretary General

Sifuna was accompanied by ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, who expressed full support for him. Osotsi said:

“Sifuna is going nowhere. If Sifuna goes, I will also go. We still recognize Sifuna as our legitimate Secretary General, as we will discover shortly.”

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also condemned a recent party meeting in Mombasa, calling it illegal and a “kangaroo meeting.”

He added,”the only mistake that Sifuna made is to fight for the downtrodden and the forgotten in Kenya. There is no way that illegal office holders can remove a legal office holder from office. That is Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.”

The backing from senior party leaders highlights the ongoing tensions within ODM as Sifuna maintains his stance against supporting the current administration for another term.

How the Rift Developed

The divisions trace back to 2024, when shifting national political dynamics, particularly ODM’s evolving relationship with President William Ruto’s administration under the broad-based government arrangement, began to expose fault lines within the party.

While some senior ODM figures signalled a willingness to cooperate with the government, Sifuna consistently adopted a more confrontational opposition stance.

That position earned him support from parts of the party’s grassroots but created unease among sections of the leadership.

Also Read: Profile of Catherine Omanyo, New ODM Secretary-General

In his capacity as Secretary-General, Sifuna frequently served as the party’s chief public critic of government policy, further amplifying internal tensions.

Those differences have become more pronounced in recent weeks, as ODM grapples with competing visions for its political future ahead of the 2027 general election.

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