Sifuna At Centre Of ODM Leadership Dispute As Party Announces Special Convention
Politics Updated: 06 March 2026 19:25 EAT
Nairobi Senetor Edwin Sifuna at Uhuru Park in Nairobi earlier today
Fresh political tensions have emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement as party leaders announced a Special National Delegates Convention scheduled for March 27 in Nairobi to address internal disagreements over leadership and party direction.
The dispute places Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna at the centre of the unfolding political battle after the party’s National Executive Committee moved to remove him from the position of Secretary-General earlier this year.
The convention is expected to bring together key party organs including members of the National Executive Committee, parliamentary leaders and delegates from across the country as the party seeks to stabilise its leadership structures.
The leadership contest has created sharp divisions within the party, with rival camps competing over influence and the future direction of one of Kenya’s largest opposition political formations.
At the same time, party leaders postponed the delegates’ elections in Kisumu that had been scheduled for March 6, citing intelligence reports warning of a highly polarised political environment.
The decision to delay the Kisumu elections was communicated by party leadership in a letter to the National Elections Coordination Committee, highlighting concerns over potential tensions during the exercise.
The leadership dispute follows a February decision by the party’s National Executive Committee to remove Sifuna from the secretary-general position, a move that sparked political controversy within the party.
Despite the decision, the dispute remains unresolved and has become a key issue expected to dominate discussions during the upcoming national delegates meeting later this month.
Separately, an unusual scene unfolded at the Milimani Law Courts when a suspect appearing before the court claimed that Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino were his lawyers during proceedings.
The magistrate presiding over the matter intervened and instructed the accused to remain calm while proceedings continued, noting that court instructions would be issued by the bench.
Meanwhile, political analysts say the internal struggle within the Orange Democratic Movement reflects a broader contest over the party’s leadership and strategic direction following recent changes within the opposition landscape.
The upcoming delegates convention in Nairobi is now expected to play a crucial role in determining how the party resolves the leadership dispute and positions itself ahead of future political contests.
Tags: Edit Political Parties Politics Sifuna Signs Media Kenya Limited Signstvkenya
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD