ODM welcomes tribunal ruling on Sifuna case ahead of NDC
By Mabonga Makhanu, March 26, 2026The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has welcomed a court ruling that allows the party to proceed with its special National Delegates Conference (NDC).
The announcement came on Thursday, March 26, 2026, after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) delivered rulings on two key matters involving the party.
In the case of Senator Edwin Sifuna versus ODM, the Tribunal struck out the complaint, citing the failure to first use the party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM). The Tribunal reaffirmed that exhausting internal remedies is a mandatory precondition for its jurisdiction and that it cannot waive this requirement.
Similarly, in a case filed by journalist Vincent Chepkwony against ODM, the Tribunal declined to issue interim orders to stay the National Executive Committee (NEC) resolutions of February 11, 2026. The Tribunal found that the complainant had not demonstrated that the complaint would be rendered nugatory.
“In the Sen. Edwin Sifuna vs ODM case, the Tribunal struck out the complaint for failure to invoke the Party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM), re-affirming that exhaustion of internal remedies is a mandatory precondition to the Tribunal’s jurisdiction and that it lacks authority to waive this requirement,” ODM stated.
“As a result, the NEC resolutions remain in force, and the Special Delegates Conference scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026, will proceed as planned. The Tribunal emphasised that public interest supports uninterrupted internal party processes.”
ODM has hailed the PPDT decisions as a milestone in promoting democracy and ensuring that internal disputes are resolved through the party’s established mechanisms.
The party confirmed that only accredited delegates will be allowed to participate in the conference at ACK Jamhuri Grounds on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Sifuna’s case
This comes after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) struck out Senator Edwin Sifuna’s case on his removal as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general (SG).
“The complainant (Sifuna) and the first respondent (ODM) shall attempt to resolve the dispute through the first respondent’s (ODM) IDRM mechanisms. The parties are encouraged to submit to IDRM in good faith,” the tribunal ruled.
In dismissing the case, the PPDT, led by acting chairperson Gad Gathu on Thursday, March 26, 2026, argued that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.