Sifuna skips another ODM NEC meeting amid push for his ouster
By Kenneth Mwenda, February 11, 2026Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna missed a key National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa on February 11, 2026, fuelling talks of deep splits within the party.
Party leader Oburu Oginga had called the session to address leadership issues amid ongoing discussions about ODM-UDA alliance talks ahead of the 2027 elections.
Instead of attending the meeting, Sifuna joined the Senate Energy Committee Stakeholders Forum in Nairobi. His absence has highlighted divisions in ODM, which has struggled to define its direction since the death of its founder, Raila Odinga, on October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India.
During the meeting, Oburu Oginga stated that ODM exited the Azimio la Umoja coalition. He said that the party left the coalition long ago and will soon formalise the exit.
“Azimio was dead when ODM left it. We left it long time ago. It is only a formality which we have not performed and which we are going to perform very soon,” Oburu stated.
Amisi ousted from NEC
The NEC meeting also removed Saboti MP Caleb Amisi from the committee, indicating ongoing leadership reshuffles. Amisi, who held dual roles as Trans Nzoia county chairman and national deputy organising secretary, criticised the process.
“What people are not aware of is that they have already kicked me out,” Amisi said. “For you to remove a NEC member, there are procedures. You don’t just write a letter from Bondo and send it on WhatsApp. The NEC must meet, and they must unanimously agree or vote that you’re supposed to leave. And you’re supposed to be given a right of reply. There must be a hearing.”
Amisi also said he would not run on an ODM ticket if the party joins UDA.
“If ODM joins UDA, I, Caleb Amisi, will not vie with ODM. It is just as clear as that,” he stated. He added he might reconsider if ODM fields its own presidential candidate or joins a coalition with like-minded groups.
Sifuna skips party meetings
Of late, Sifuna has been prioritising other duties over party events. On January 12, he and Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi skipped a consultative leaders’ meeting.
Photos posted by ODM showed Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir, Party Chairperson Gladys Wanga, Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, and Junet Mohamed in attendance. The absence of Sifuna and Osotsi sparked speculation about growing divisions at the top of the party.
The internal discord in ODM has become more visible, with factions disagreeing over whether to cooperate with President William Ruto’s UDA. One group, aligned with Oburu, supports collaboration for national stability. Another, including Sifuna, Osotsi, and Siaya Governor James Orengo, wants the party to remain independent and field its own presidential candidate in 2027.
Sifuna has also faced calls for removal. National Treasury CS John Mbadi urged the party to expel him, accusing him of conflicting loyalties.
“Someone like Sifuna will not remain in ODM because already he is conflicted. He is now selling the agenda of someone else… You cannot keep him in the party,” Mbadi said.
Sifuna responded during the Linda Wananchi Tour, defending his record and leadership.
“Raila Odinga did not raise cowards. He raised leaders who are ready to stand for justice and the welfare of Kenyans,” he said.