ODM Removes Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General in Party Shakeup

The Orange Democratic Movement party removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as secretary general on Monday after its organs backed a formal probe into misconduct claims. The swift move hits the outspoken lawmaker at the center of growing tensions inside the party as it gears up for the 2027 elections.

Party officials acted fast. They followed clear recommendations from the Internal Disputes Resolution Committee. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga chaired the session. Senator Oburu Oginga sat in as party leader. The gathering sealed the decision that many insiders had seen coming for months.

Sifuna fought hard earlier. He challenged an initial attempt to push him out. That battle landed at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal back in February 2026. Now the party has spoken with one voice.

What led ODM leaders to remove Edwin Sifuna from his powerful post?

The party cited findings from a thorough investigation into alleged misconduct. Officials examined complaints that had piled up over time. They reached a unanimous conclusion across all organs. Sifuna no longer holds the secretary general title.

Yet he walks away with key positions intact. The 44-year-old senator keeps his seat in Nairobi. He also retains his role as deputy minority whip in the upper house. Those protections matter. They leave him with a platform to stay relevant even as party winds shift.

Sifuna built his name as a fierce voice. He defended former prime minister Raila Odinga with passion. Crowds still chant his signature slogan. “Sisi ndio sifuna,” supporters roar at rallies. His fiery speeches lit up television debates and county events. Many Kenyans recognize him instantly for that energy.

Tensions simmered for weeks. Sources close to the party described closed-door meetings that stretched late into nights. One senior official who asked not to be named said the committee reviewed documents and witness accounts with care. “We followed every rule in the book,” the official explained during a brief conversation after the announcement.

The timing carries weight. Kenya heads toward crucial 2027 general elections. ODM wants unity. Leaders eye fresh strategies to reclaim ground lost in previous cycles. Removing a high-profile figure like Sifuna sends a clear signal. Loyalty and discipline come first.

How will Edwin Sifuna respond to the ODM decision that stripped his secretary general title?

Sifuna has not issued a full statement yet. Allies hint he will focus on his senate duties. They point to his strong base in Nairobi. Voters there remember his sharp questions during house sessions. He often targeted government policies on youth jobs and cost of living.

Political watchers track every move. The party that once rallied around Raila Odinga now navigates new realities. Oburu Oginga steps up in visible ways. Gladys Wanga brings her experience from Homa Bay to national decisions. Their presence at the meeting underscored the weight of the outcome.

Numbers tell part of the story. ODM commands significant membership across western Kenya and Nairobi. Official records show the party maintains branches in all 47 counties. Yet internal polls shared privately indicate softening support in urban areas ahead of 2027. Sifuna’s removal could either heal rifts or widen them.

The senator entered politics with fire. Born in 1982, he rose quickly through youth wings. His legal background sharpened his attacks on opponents. He rarely shied from tough questions. That style earned him fans and critics in equal measure.

Party insiders insist the process stayed clean. They point to the committee’s report. Dates line up neatly from the February challenge to Monday’s final vote. No shortcuts. No hidden agendas, they claim.

Yet questions linger. Will Sifuna stay loyal or chart a new path? Friends say he loves the party deeply. He fought many battles for it. Others predict he might use his Senate voice to push back on key issues.