ODM fires Senator Edwin Sifuna as party secretary general amid internal fighting

The Orange Democratic Movement has removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as Secretary General, following a resolution by the party’s National Executive Committee. In a statement released after the NEC meeting, the party said Sifuna’s removal takes effect immediately, citing concerns over discipline within senior leadership and the need to uphold the ODM constitution and collective decision making. Busia Woman Representative and Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo has been appointed to act in the position until a substantive office holder is elected. The NEC also adopted resolutions from the party’s Central Committee, formally mandating party leader Oburu Oginga to lead negotiations on ODM’s pre-election coalition arrangements with other political parties and formations. Meanwhile, some ODM leaders have accused the ousted secretary general of working with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a claim that has intensified internal tensions. At the same time, the NEC resolved to begin the formal process of withdrawing from the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, citing what it described as sustained breaches of the coalition’s founding agreement by some of its partners.