Sifuna Heads To Court Over ODM Secretary-General Ouster
Politics Updated: 23 June 2026 14:22 EAT
Photo courtesy: Linda Mwananchi faction Leader Edwin Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi team addressing the press.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has announced plans to challenge in court the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Executive Committee’s decision to remove him as the party’s Secretary-General, arguing that the process violated the party constitution and failed to meet standards of procedural fairness.
The latest dispute emerged a day after ODM’s National Executive Committee resolved to remove Sifuna from office following internal disciplinary proceedings, escalating tensions within one of Kenya’s largest opposition parties.
Speaking alongside leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi faction in Nairobi on Tuesday, Sifuna rejected the decision and described it as unconstitutional, unfair and inconsistent with internal party rules. His camp argued that the latest action closely resembles an earlier February attempt to remove him from office that was challenged through legal channels.
According to a statement issued by his allies, Sifuna held consultations with his legal team and resolved to return to court to test the legality and propriety of the latest decision.
Sifuna’s supporters maintain that ODM did not properly adhere to procedures outlined in the party constitution before endorsing his removal. They contend that internal disciplinary processes should comply with principles of fairness and due process.
ODM, however, defended the move and stated that the National Executive Committee acted after reviewing findings and recommendations presented by the party’s Internal Disputes Resolution Committee. The party said the committee had conducted its disciplinary process before forwarding its report to the NEC.
Party officials further argued that Sifuna had been accorded an opportunity to respond to allegations through legal representation and that procedural requirements had been observed before the final decision was made.
The latest standoff revives a dispute that first surfaced in February when an earlier attempt to remove Sifuna triggered intervention by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, which temporarily halted implementation of the decision.
Subsequent proceedings directed parties to utilise internal dispute resolution mechanisms while preserving Sifuna’s right to seek further legal redress where necessary.
Sifuna has served as ODM Secretary-General since 2018 and currently represents Nairobi County in the Senate.
The fresh legal challenge is expected to place renewed focus on internal party governance, disciplinary procedures and the extent to which political parties must adhere to their constitutions in leadership disputes.
As the court process begins, attention is likely to shift to whether ODM’s latest disciplinary action sufficiently addressed concerns previously raised in earlier proceedings and whether the decision can withstand judicial scrutiny.
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FELIX MAKONA
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