Omanyo: Absenteeism is one reason why ODM is pushing to oust Sifuna from SG post
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 12, 2026Busia Woman Representative and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Catherine Omanyo has stated that one of the reasons leading to the attempted ouster of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from the Secretary General position was absenteeism from crucial meetings.
While speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Sunday, April 12, 2026, the outspoken acting secretary general of ODM stated that the senator’s conduct in the months leading to his attempted dismissal from the party’s helm was marked by regular absenteeism from crucial meetings, such as National Executive Committee (NEC) sittings, sometimes even without apology.
“Sifuna had become a regular absentee from parties’ crucial meetings, sometimes with an apology, but in most cases, he could just skip without notifying anybody,” Omanyo explained.
Omanyo further stated that if the agenda of NEC meetings did not favour him, or if he had strong opposition to it, he would miss the meetings and fail to air his reservations, something that made the party view his conduct as bordering on indiscipline.
She continued explaining that it is always advisable for members who have differing opinions to express them during such meetings instead of missing out simply because they do not agree with the agenda.
Despite the senator earlier stating that he would not hand over the secretary general position to Oburu Odinga, he is now in court battling for the seat. He was removed on February 11, 2026, after an NEC meeting held in Kilifi.
Sifuna-ODM woes
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, his case before the Political Parties Dispute Resolution Tribunal (PPDRT) was dismissed, and he was directed to return to the party and first exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms before seeking justice in court.
Recently, the party, through the chairperson Gladys Wanga, also served him with a show-cause letter asking why he should not face disciplinary action, giving him an ultimatum until April 8, 2026.
In his rebuttal to the show-cause letter, he engaged a team of three lawyers to defend him, who wrote to the party requesting more time. The party responded, granting him until April 20, 2026, to comply with the party’s requirements.