Sifuna Removal Case Dismissed
News Updated: 26 March 2026 16:07 EAT
ODM Secretary General Edwin Watenya Sifuna
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has struck out a case challenging the removal of Edwin Sifuna as Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement, citing failure to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
In its ruling, the tribunal held that the petitioner had moved to the external body prematurely without first seeking redress through ODM’s internal structures as required under the law governing political parties.
The tribunal emphasized that disputes arising within political parties must, in the first instance, be handled internally before escalation to statutory dispute resolution bodies, unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.
According to the panel, the doctrine of exhaustion is a fundamental principle designed to allow institutions to resolve their own disputes before outside intervention is sought.
The case had been filed following a decision by ODM’s National Executive Committee to remove Sifuna from his position, a move that triggered sharp divisions within the party leadership.
Sifuna had challenged the decision, arguing that the process leading to his removal was flawed, lacked due process, and violated the party’s constitution.
He further maintained that the decision was irregular and politically motivated, insisting that proper procedures were not followed by the party’s top organ.
However, ODM’s legal team argued that the dispute squarely fell within internal party affairs and should be addressed through the party’s established disciplinary and arbitration mechanisms.
The tribunal agreed with this position, noting that there was no sufficient justification presented to bypass the internal processes available within ODM.
As a result, the case was struck out without the tribunal making any determination on the merits of the claims raised regarding Sifuna’s removal.
The decision effectively means that any further challenge to the removal must now be initiated within ODM’s internal dispute resolution framework before any external legal recourse is pursued.
The ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing leadership wrangles within ODM and is expected to influence how internal party disputes are handled across Kenya’s political landscape.
Tags: Edit Editor's Pick Edwin Watenya Sifuna Oburu Oburu Odinga Oburu Oginga Odm ODM Sifuna Signs Media Kenya Limited Signsmedia Signstv Signstvkenya
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FELIX MAKONA
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