Sifuna's removal as ODM secretary general was unprocedural, Ruth Odinga speaks

ODM Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga during an interview on KTN. [Screen grab]

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has challenged the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as party secretary general, describing the process as flawed and calling for internal mediation.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) removed Sifuna on February 11, citing indiscipline and breaches of party protocol as ODM navigates internal divisions ahead of the 2027 General Election.

"Sifuna has been speaking his mind. He has a right to speak and should go through the party's mediation and arbitration process. His ouster was not done in the right process," said Odinga during a KTN interview on Wednesday, February 18.

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal halted Sifuna's removal on February 12, ruling that the party failed to notify him of complaints or give him a chance to defend himself.

The dispute has exposed deeper divisions over whether ODM should support President William Ruto's 2027 re-election bid or position itself as opposition, with Sifuna leading those opposed to engaging with the government.

The split became visible on Sunday when ODM held two competing rallies.

Sifuna's "Linda Mwananchi" faction drew thousands to Kitengela before police dispersed the gathering with teargas and live bullets, while party leader Oburu Oginga's "Linda Ground" faction held a peaceful rally at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa, promoting cooperation with Ruto's administration.

The party faces its most difficult test since the death of former party leader Raila Odinga in October 2025.

His elder brother, Oburu Oginga, now leads ODM through what many view as an uncertain transition period.

Odinga dismissed suggestions that the party is fracturing, attributing disagreements to differing views among members rather than a fundamental split.

"Any hand that is in ODM should leave us to solve the problems we have as a party," she said.

Debates over term limits and the party's ideological direction have exposed fault lines within ODM, with some members questioning whether the party can maintain cohesion without Raila Odinga's unifying influence.

"Raila Odinga was larger than life. The glue he had shaped a lot of our politics, and the ODM family relied on him," noted Odinga.

She urged party members to return to constitutional processes and allow time for reconciliation.

"If we can be given time to sit down and stay together as a party, I still believe ODM stands on ideology and freedom for people to express their views," she added.