Edwin Sifuna Moves to PPDT to Block Removal as ODM Secretary General Ahead of Disciplinary Hearing
The outcome of the case is expected to have significant implications for the party’s leadership and internal governance as political alignments continue to evolve.
Embattled ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the installation of the Bishop’s office at PEFA Church in Ruai on March 14, 2026. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has moved back to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), seeking urgent orders to stop his removal as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
In an application filed under a certificate of urgency, Sifuna is asking the tribunal to suspend the implementation of a resolution allegedly passed by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on February 11, 2026, which sought to remove him from office over alleged misconduct.
Through his legal team, the senator is also seeking to halt any disciplinary proceedings stemming from a Notice to Show Cause issued on April 2, 2026. He further wants the tribunal to bar ODM and the Registrar of Political Parties from gazetting or enforcing any decision regarding his removal.
Sifuna argues that the process leading to his ouster was unlawful and violated his constitutional rights, including the right to fair administrative action.
“The decision to remove me was reached without notice and without giving me an opportunity to be heard,” he states in court filings, adding that the allegations of misconduct were never formally presented as part of the NEC meeting agenda.
According to the documents, Sifuna claims he was neither informed of the accusations nor invited to defend himself before the decision was made. He further accuses the party of acting in bad faith by initiating what he terms as a “predetermined disciplinary process.”
“Issuing a notice to show cause while already setting a hearing date clearly indicates that the outcome had already been decided,” he argues.
The ODM Secretary General also criticises the timeline given to respond to the allegations, saying he was granted only four days—during the Easter holiday period—to address what he describes as vague claims.
“The timeline was unreasonable and designed to undermine my right to a fair hearing,” Sifuna contends.
This latest legal move follows an earlier ruling by the tribunal, which struck out his initial complaint for lack of jurisdiction and directed him to first exhaust the party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (IDRM). However, Sifuna now maintains that the internal process has been frustrated and is no longer effective.
He has warned that unless the tribunal intervenes, the party could proceed with gazetting his removal, an action he says would not only be unlawful but could also lead to misuse of public resources.
Sifuna is now urging the PPDT to assume jurisdiction and issue interim orders preserving his position pending the hearing and determination of the case. The matter is expected to be mentioned urgently before the tribunal.
The dispute arises after ODM initiated disciplinary proceedings against him over allegations of gross misconduct. In a show-cause letter signed by party Chairperson **Gladys Wanga**, Sifuna is accused of publicly contradicting official party positions.
Among the cited instances are his appearances on Citizen TV’s The Explainer programme on July 22, 2025, and February 3, 2026, where he allegedly made statements inconsistent with ODM’s stance, including declaring the ODM-UDA broad-based arrangement “dead.”
The party further accuses him of repeatedly issuing conflicting statements despite participating in internal meetings where positions were agreed upon, actions it says have caused confusion and undermined the party.
Additionally, Sifuna is accused of engaging in unsanctioned political activities under the **Linda Mwananchi Initiative**, as well as failing to attend key party meetings, including a Central Committee session held on January 12, 2026, and NEC meetings on February 11 and March 4, 2026.
ODM has directed Sifuna to respond to the allegations by April 8 and appear before a disciplinary panel on April 10, 2026, to present his defence.
The outcome of the case is expected to have significant implications for the party’s leadership and internal governance as political alignments continue to evolve.
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