Embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has accused his party of deploying disruptive groups during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings held in the Coast region, which sealed his fate.

Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Sifuna, who skipped both the Kilifi and Mombasa meetings, claimed that the gatherings were infiltrated by individuals meant to create chaos and potentially intimidate him.

The Nairobi senator claimed that there were deliberate efforts to undermine his participation and presence at the Coast events.

“Wanataka kukualika pale lakini wamepanga kwamba udhuriwe kwa huo mkutano. Upigwe,” Sifuna said.

He further claimed that organised groups were present during the meetings.

“Unapangiwa magenge ya majambazi. Kuna magenge ya majambazi yaliletwa pale Kilifi wakati kulikuwa na mkutano wa kwanza,” he added.

Sifuna claimed that similar incidents were observed during both the Kilifi and Mombasa meetings, where he claims that groups of youths were brought in to target him.

He said media reports had captured some of the said individuals making statements during the events, which he interpreted as evidence of coordination.

“Mkutano wa Mombasa vile vile ulifanyika na kulikuwa na magenge ya vijana ambao waliletwa pale kwa sababu za kuzua vurugu,” he said.

Kilifi meeting

The ODM Central Management Committee in January 2026 convened a consultative meeting in Vipingo, Kilifi County, to address the emerging issues within the party.

The crisis meeting, chaired by party leader Oburu Oginga, was meant to mend the growing gaps within the party ranks.

“As the Orange Democratic Movement, we remain firmly committed to internal consultation, unity of purpose, and principled leadership. We continue to listen to our members and the Kenyan people as we collectively shape the Party’s direction in the period ahead,” Oburu said.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Mombasa’s Abdulswamad Nassir, Wajir’s Ahmed Abdullahi, and Kisii’s Simba Arati attended the meeting convened by Oburu. Also in attendance were Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ongwen, and treasurer Timothy Bosire.

Sifuna, despite being an ODM CMC member, skipped the meeting.

Mombasa meeting

The decision was taken during an ODM NEC meeting in Mombasa on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, to oust Sifuna, who had skipped the meeting, as the party SG.

ODM announced that Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo will serve in an acting capacity until a substantive office holder 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.”

During the Mombasa meeting, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga also publicly defended the party’s decision to appoint Catherine Omanyo as acting secretary general, insisting that Sifuna must face the consequences of indiscipline.

Speaking during a Sunday service at Shalom Miracle Church in Makupa, Mombasa County, on February 15, 2026, Oburu emphasised that adherence to party rules is non-negotiable.

He noted that ODM had not chased Sifuna out of the party but went ahead to mock the Nairobi Senator’s decision to challenge his ouster, noting that he will remain a court SG as Omanyo takes over from him.

“If you don’t follow the rules of the party, you keep out of the party, but if you follow the rules, you will be part and parcel of us. That is why we have our SG Catherine Omanyo, and the other SG, party ilisema akae nje kidogo kwasababu ya kukosa nidhamu, lakini hatujafukuza yeye kwa chama. Yule ni SG wa court, na huyu ndio SG wa chama,” Oburu said.