Kivutha Kibwana takes swipe at Omanyo, says real ODM now with Sifuna camp
By Mustafa Juma, February 11, 2026Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has waded into the unfolding leadership wrangles within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), taking a swipe at Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo, who has been announced as the party’s Acting Secretary General.
Taking to his official X account on the night of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Kibwana appeared to question Omanyo’s suitability for the role, while suggesting that the “real ODM” may now lie with the camp aligned to the now ousted Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
Although he did not mention Omanyo by name, ODM had earlier announced that Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo would serve in an acting capacity pending the election of a substantive office holder.
“I watched Breaking News today. ODM has a new Acting Secretary General, HONOURABLE ME. The New SG struggled to pronounce ‘constitutionalism’. Indeed, it is a difficult word that Baba fought for all his life. Maybe the real ODM has been handed over to @edwinsifuna and others,” Kibwana stated.
Sifuna’s removal as ODM SG
Omanyo stepped into the role after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) recommended the removal of Sifuna as Secretary General, subject to ratification by the National Governing Council and ultimately the National Delegates Conference (NDC).
The decision was taken during an NEC meeting in Mombasa on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. ODM announced that Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo will serve in an acting capacity until a substantive officeholder is elected.
“Party National Executive Committee meeting in Mombasa today has resolved to relieve SG @edwinsifuna of his responsibilities with immediate effect,” ODM stated.
“Effectively, Hon. Catherine Omanyo, who is one of the Deputy Secretary Generals, will act in this position until a substantive holder of the office is elected.”
The move came after months of internal tensions within the party. Sifuna, who is known for his staunch defence of the late party leader Raila Odinga, had also faced criticism over ODM’s evolving cooperation with the government.
Sifuna had also skipped the NEC meeting that recommended his removal.