The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued a detailed clarification following a ruling by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) regarding disciplinary proceedings initiated against its Secretary General, Senator Edwin Sifuna.
In a statement released by ODM’s executive director on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Oduor Ong’wen, the party said the tribunal’s latest decision has cleared the way for it to proceed with disciplinary action against the senator, following a legal dispute that has been ongoing since February 2026.
“Today’s judgement is a significant reaffirmation of the doctrine of exhaustion, which requires parties to first exhaust available internal dispute resolution mechanisms before seeking the intervention of external adjudicative bodies,” ODM’s statement read in part.
ODM said the National Executive Committee (NEC) initiated the process to remove Sifuna from his position on February 11, 2026.
However, the following day, Sifuna moved to the PPDT and obtained interim orders restraining the party from proceeding with the removal process pending determination of the dispute.
According to the Orange party, the tribunal later dismissed Sifuna’s application in a ruling delivered on March 26, 2026, and directed both parties to subject themselves to the party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM), including any disciplinary processes provided for under its constitution.
ODM further stated that before the internal process could proceed, Sifuna returned to the tribunal seeking to stop the disciplinary proceedings.
On April 9, 2026, the PPDT clarified that the party was at liberty to hear and determine the disciplinary matter but could not communicate or implement any resulting decision until the application challenging the IDRM process was heard and determined.
According to ODM, the tribunal’s latest ruling delivered on Thursday dismissed Sifuna’s application and vacated all interim orders previously granted in his favour.
ODM noted that the tribunal reaffirmed the principle that internal party mechanisms must be exhausted before parties seek external intervention, in line with the doctrine of exhaustion.
“It underscored that internal party processes should be allowed to run their course without undue interference,” ODM said in its statement.
The party added that the ruling allows it to proceed with and conclude any disciplinary proceedings lawfully initiated against the senator.
ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen said the decision reinforces the right of political parties to manage their internal affairs in accordance with their constitutions and governing rules.
The dispute now shifts back to ODM’s internal organs, which are expected to determine the next steps in the disciplinary process.
