Omanyo reveals ODM’s plan to restart disciplinary process against Sifuna
By Kenneth Mwenda, June 20, 2026The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will begin a fresh disciplinary process against Nairobi Senator and party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna following a ruling by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT).
ODM Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo said the party would immediately restart the process of removing Sifuna from the position of secretary general in line with a resolution passed earlier in 2026.
Speaking on Saturday, June 20, 2026, Omanyo said the tribunal had already provided clear directions on how ODM should conduct the disciplinary process lawfully.
Her remarks came two days after the PPDT ruled that ODM violated Sifuna’s right to a fair hearing during the earlier attempt to remove him from office.
The tribunal found that the ODM National Executive Committee (NEC) did not give Sifuna adequate notice that his conduct would be discussed during the meeting that resolved to remove him as Secretary General.
According to the tribunal, the meeting agenda did not include disciplinary proceedings against the Nairobi senator, and ODM failed to show evidence that Sifuna had been informed about any changes to the agenda.
“The complainant was not accorded a fair hearing prior to the resolution to remove him from office,” the tribunal ruled.
However, the tribunal also stated that ODM was free to start fresh disciplinary proceedings against Sifuna as long as the party follows due process and its constitution.
The panel, chaired by Gad Gathu, emphasised that political parties have the right to manage their internal affairs and discipline members, provided they comply with the law.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the first respondent (ODM) is at liberty to institute and conclude disciplinary proceedings against the complainant in accordance with its constitution and the law,” the tribunal stated.
Fresh fight intensifies
Following the ruling, Omanyo accused Sifuna and his allies of attempting to destabilise the party through internal disputes and court battles.
She said ODM would not allow itself to be held hostage by what she described as the “Linda Mwananchi faction” linked to the Nairobi Senator.
She also defended the party’s decision to pursue disciplinary action, arguing that ODM has mechanisms to handle disagreements internally.
“ODM iko na design, iko na pattern yake, iko na structures. So, mtu hawezi kuja kusumbua sumbua na anakimbia kotini. Ndio kila mtu ako na haki, lakini ODM iko na umaarufu na iko na capability ya ku handle shida yoyote ile katika chama. So, nashukuru sana koti kurudishia sisi kushughulikia hilo jambo,” Omanyo said.
Her comments signal a fresh escalation in the ongoing standoff within ODM over Sifuna’s leadership and political position in the party.
The dispute has exposed divisions within ODM, with some leaders backing Sifuna while others support the NEC decision to remove him from the influential secretary general position.
Sifuna moved to the tribunal after ODM initiated disciplinary proceedings and resolved to remove him from office earlier this year.
In his case, the Nairobi senator argued that the process was unfair and violated principles of natural justice because he was not given a proper opportunity to defend himself before the decision was made.
The tribunal agreed with part of his argument and declared the NEC resolution invalid only to the extent that it purported to remove him from office without a fair hearing.
However, the PPDT declined to block ODM from pursuing disciplinary action altogether.
Instead, the tribunal directed Sifuna to submit himself to the party’s disciplinary structures and only return to the tribunal if dissatisfied with the outcome.
The ruling now leaves ODM with room to restart the disciplinary process while observing procedural fairness.