The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is once again at the centre of internal turbulence, with a clear rift emerging within its top leadership.

A section of party leaders is pushing for the removal of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, alongside calls for him to be de-whipped as the Senate Minority Leader, even as some warn against the move.

The developments point to deeper power struggles within the party.

This debate gained momentum after Migori Senator Eddy Oketch filed a petition seeking Sifuna’s removal as ODM Secretary General.

Oketch accused Sifuna of gross misconduct, a move that shifted attention to the complex legal and political process required to oust a sitting party secretary general.

The petition exposed fault lines within ODM’s decision-making structures.

Beyond the accusations, the petition raised important questions about party discipline and authority.  

Sifuna, however, received temporary relief after Senator Oketch withdrew the petition. The withdrawal is said to have followed intervention by senior party figure Oburu Odinga, suggesting efforts to contain the fallout. While the immediate threat has eased.

Removal of party SG

According to the Political Parties Act of 2022 and the ODM party constitution, a sitting Secretary General can be removed from office when a member files a petition to the party’s national chairperson, who is in charge of disciplinary actions of members.

The petition must detail specific facts constituting grounds for removal, such as gross misconduct, breach of the party constitution, or “deemed resignation” by supporting rival party ideologies.

The national chairperson will then forward the petition to the party disciplinary committee, which would then, in accordance with Article 8.4.2 of the ODM party constitution, afford a fair hearing and allow the petitioner to defend him/herself against the charges or accusations made against him/her in accordance with the rules of natural justice.

If the disciplinary committee finds the official culpable, it may recommend suspension or expulsion to the party’s governing body.

The party’s National Executive Council (NEC) must then meet to deliberate on and ratify the recommendation for removal.

The NEC will then vote on the removal from office of the secretary general; a simple majority vote by the party’s executive members can initiate the removal process.

Once the party decides to remove the official, it must notify the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) of the decision.

Has it happened before?

ODM has previously witnessed internal leadership disputes involving its Secretary-General position.

Similar threats of removal were experienced in the past, highlighting recurring tensions within the party’s top ranks.

In 2016, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba was ousted as ODM Secretary-General following claims that he had abandoned his duties.

 During the same period, Edwin Sifuna declared himself acting SG after leading youth supporters to the party headquarters.

After Namwamba officially resigned, citing frustration and intimidation, ODM appointed Agnes Zani as interim Secretary-General.

 Sifuna was later confirmed as the substantive SG in February 2018 during a National Executive Committee meeting.