Twist as Motion to Expel Edwin Sifuna is Withdrawn

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has received temporary political relief after Migori Senator Eddy Oketch formally withdrew a petition that sought his removal from the party’s powerful administrative position, easing what had been shaping up as a major internal showdown within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The withdrawal was communicated on Tuesday, January 6, through a letter written by Oketch’s legal team and addressed to ODM Chairperson, following consultations with senior party leadership. 

The move comes amid growing concerns that a prolonged dispute could deepen internal divisions within the party.

According to the letter, the decision was guided by engagements with ODM Party Leader Senator Oburu Oginga and a desire to uphold the conflict-resolution legacy of the party’s founding leader, the late Raila Odinga.

The lawyers noted that Raila had consistently championed dialogue as the most effective way of addressing disputes, even during moments of intense political disagreement.

“Following wide consultations with the Party Leader Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, and with utmost respect to the spirit of the founding Party Leader, the late Raila Amollo Odinga, who embraced dialogue as the most preferred method of resolving disputes, our client has issued further instructions,” the letter read in part.

While the withdrawal signals a pause in the immediate push to oust Sifuna, Oketch’s legal team was careful to clarify that the concerns raised against the Nairobi Senator had not been abandoned.

They insisted that the issues remain valid and would now be addressed through the party’s internal mechanisms rather than through a public disciplinary motion.

The lawyers stated that Oketch had opted to invoke Article 16(1)(g) of the ODM Constitution, which provides avenues for internal dispute resolution, instead of pursuing the motion dated January 5, 2026.

“Being cognisant of the breaches previously outlined and the offensive remarks allegedly made by Senator Edwin Sifuna against the party and its members, our client has, in consultation with the Party Leader and relevant party organs, agreed to withdraw the motion letter and pursue internal resolution,” the statement added.

In the original petition, Oketch accused Sifuna of gross misconduct, indiscipline, and actions he claimed undermined party unity. 

He alleged that the Secretary General had repeatedly violated both the ODM Constitution and the Political Parties Act by associating closely with rival political outfits while still presenting himself as the official spokesperson of ODM.

The petition, which had been submitted to Oburu Oginga and copied to the party secretariat, further accused Sifuna of making public statements deemed damaging to the party’s image and cohesion.

Despite the mounting pressure, ODM’s Director of Communication Philip Etale had earlier indicated that the party had no intention of removing Sifuna from office, describing the situation as an internal matter that would be handled through established structures.

The controversy has also drawn sharp reactions from some party legislators. On Tuesday, Members of Parliament from the Luhya community, led by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, warned that any attempt to remove Sifuna could trigger a mass exit from ODM.

Addressing the media, Kalasinga claimed that emerging political manoeuvres within the party were unfairly targeting the Secretary General, cautioning that such actions risk alienating the Luhya voting bloc, which he described as a key pillar of ODM’s support base.