Nairobi County Senator Edwin Sifuna has maintained that he still holds the position of the Secretary General of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party, despite being ousted by National Executive Committee (NEC).
While addressing a press conference on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Sifuna claimed that his removal is connected to his refusal to support the pre-coalition talks with President Ruto’s UDA Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also accused some of ODM’s leaders of allegedly allowing the party operations to be directed from the State House. Sifuna asserted that ODM belongs to the people and that not even Raila Odinga would have allowed it to become a mere extension of another party.
“My only crime is that I have refused and opposed any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto’s re-election because I have held the firm position that this country cannot afford another five years of divisive, incompetent and disastrous misadventures,” he noted.
“It is well known that, regardless of the political deals Raila Odinga struck with various regimes, he would never have allowed his beloved party to become a mere extension of State House, where decisions are simply rubber-stamped after receiving instructions from the regime,” Sifuna added.
The Nairobi Senator however affirmed that he is still the dully elected SG, vowing to never bow to pressure from those unhappy with his presence at the party.
“I remain a loyal member and the duly elected Secretary General of the ODM party. I remain committed to the struggle of a fair, just and democratic Kenya,” he said.
Sifuna further dismissed claims that he has been acting against the resolutions of the party, saying he has never been notified of any misconduct nor summoned before the disciplinary committee.
“At no time have I been informed of any allegations against me, be they of indiscipline, insubordination or incompetence in executing my duties. Neither have I been invited to respond to any complaints in and out of the party on any matter that would constitute grounds for removal of a Secretary General,” he said.
The firebrand Senator also took a swipe at ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga, saying that he was unconstitutionally installed. He says that such illegalities tarnish the foundations on which the party was built and the pillars established by its founder, the late Raila Odinga.
“Those who now purport to run the party are aware that the new party leader was installed unconstitutionally. These shortcuts reflect the bad manners that progressive institutions and individuals pick up soon as they get cosy with William Ruto,” he noted.
“I leave it to the party members to judge if this really is the path that Raila Odinga had set for us. Just 4 months after his death, we can agree that Raila must be turning in his grave.”
He also noted that he has taken the matter to court. “That matter is before the court; let those who have made those accusations come and explain to us how I confused the party with my own opinions.”
Sifuna’s removal as SG was announced on Wednesday following a resolution by ODM’s NEC chaired by Oburu Oginga.
The position was handed over to Deputy Secretary General and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, who will serve in an acting capacity until a substantive office holder is elected.
