MOMBASA, Kenya — Sifuna removed as ODM Secretary-General by his deputy, according to a statement issued by Deputy Secretary-General Hon. Catherine Omanyo during a press briefing held in Mombasa amid the ongoing National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Speaking to journalists at the NEC venue, Omanyo said the decision was immediate and binding. She confirmed that the NEC had resolved to elevate the Deputy Secretary-General to the position of Secretary-General, citing the urgent need to enforce discipline, strengthen party unity, and maintain cohesion as ODM navigates a critical political phase ahead of the 2027 general election.
“The NEC has resolved that the office of the Secretary-General be assumed by the Deputy Secretary-General with immediate effect,” Omanyo said, emphasizing that the decision followed extensive deliberations by the party leadership.
The announcement comes amid intense internal tensions, following Sifuna’s notable absence from the high-level NEC meeting chaired by Acting Party Leader Oburu Oginga. Instead, Sifuna participated in the Senate Energy Committee Stakeholders Forum in Nairobi, a move that sparked widespread speculation over his position within ODM’s top leadership.
According to Omanyo, the NEC acted after repeated public positions by Sifuna that allegedly contradicted collective party resolutions. She added that the leadership could no longer tolerate divisions being played out publicly, particularly at a time when the party is engaged in nationwide consultations and trying to unite Kenyans under the broad-based government framework.
“…particularly at a time when the party is engaged in nationwide consultations and trying to unite Kenyans under the broad-based government framework.”
Sifuna has in recent months been one of the most outspoken critics of ODM’s cooperation framework with President William Ruto’s administration, warning that closer engagement risks diluting the party’s opposition identity. His positions put him at odds with a section of the leadership advocating broader political engagement as a strategic move to influence governance, stabilize the political environment, and maintain national unity.
The NEC meeting in Mombasa coincided with ongoing Linda Ground forums, consultative rallies led by Oburu Oginga and ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga, aimed at gathering grassroots views on whether ODM should pursue pre-coalition talks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). While supporters describe the forums as inclusive and democratic, critics argue they are being used to justify decisions already made by the leadership, deepening internal divisions.
Political analysts say the move to remove Sifuna signals a decisive effort by the NEC to assert authority, enforce discipline, and consolidate the party’s leadership at a pivotal time following the death of Raila Odinga.
By the time of the briefing, Sifuna had not issued a public response. ODM officials emphasized that the NEC’s decision is binding and effective immediately, placing the Deputy Secretary-General firmly in charge.
The shake-up is expected to trigger reactions from ODM members, elected leaders, and grassroots supporters. Analysts say how the party manages the fallout could significantly impact internal cohesion, public credibility, and its strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 general election. With less than two years to go, the dramatic leadership change underscores the high stakes as ODM fights to present a united front in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.
