Omanyo to Sifuna: Respect ORPP decision, stop clinging to ODM office
By Sharon Atieno, July 9, 2026ODM interim Secretary-General and Busia Woman Rep Catherine Omanyo has urged Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to accept the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties’ (ORPP) decision recognising changes to Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) leadership, saying the party had exhausted all avenues before updating its records.
Speaking at Chungwa House on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Omanyo said ODM had accorded Sifuna sufficient time to present his case, insisting the Registrar acted within the law after receiving the party’s official communication.
Stop clinging to the ODM office
Omanyo called on Sifuna to stop holding on to the party office and allow ODM members to determine their own leadership.
“We want the people of Chungwa to govern themselves. Sifuna should stop clinging to the ODM office because, at the end of the day, we have been patient enough. We’ve listened to both sides, we’ve given him enough time, but we cannot keep waiting for one individual to decide what they want,” she said.
She maintained that the party had followed the law throughout the process and that the Registrar’s decision reflected the due process undertaken by ODM.
“The Registrar of Political Parties has officially removed him from the register. The Chief Registrar received ODM’s letter dismissing him, and ODM’s action followed the law,” Omanyo added.
ORPP decision sparks fresh debate
Her remarks come after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties updated its records following communication from ODM regarding changes to the party’s leadership.
The development has reignited debate within the Orange party, with leaders taking divergent positions over the legality of the changes and the Registrar’s role in updating the political parties register.
Omanyo, however, insisted the matter had now been conclusively handled through the legal framework governing political parties and urged party members to focus on strengthening ODM ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Calls to move forward
The nominated MP said the party should now move beyond the leadership dispute and concentrate on serving its supporters instead of prolonging internal wrangles.
She argued that ODM had respected due process by allowing all sides to be heard before communicating its decision to the Registrar, adding that continued contestation over the matter would only distract the party from its broader political agenda.
Her comments add to the growing debate surrounding ODM’s internal leadership as political parties intensify preparations and realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.