In a bombshell move that has sent shockwaves through Kenyan politics, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has relieved Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna of his duties as Secretary General with immediate effect. The decision, announced following a heated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa, cited concerns over Sifuna’s conduct and has sparked fierce reactions across the political spectrum.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, a vocal supporter of the broad-based government arrangement between ODM and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), wasted no time in hailing the party’s leadership for what he called a long-overdue restoration of “sanity.”
In a pointed statement shared widely on social media, Cherargei declared: “I congratulate the Orange Democratic Party led by Hon. Oburu Odinga for bringing back sanity to the party by IMMEDIATELY removing Senator Edwin Sifuna as the secretary General for undermining, sabotaging the broadbased government and Pre-coalition engagement between ODM & UDA parties of 2027 General Elections.”
The Nandi Senator didn’t hold back, adding a sharp personal jab: “I warned senator sifuna severally against this habit of undermining the Party; he ate more than he could chew.”
Cherargei’s comments underscore longstanding tensions within ODM, where Sifuna has been accused by critics of opposing deeper cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration. Earlier statements from Cherargei had predicted Sifuna’s ouster, framing him as a saboteur of the pre-2027 coalition talks aimed at stabilizing Kenyan politics ahead of the next general election.
The removal comes amid reports of internal party realignments, with Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo stepping in as acting SG. Political analysts see the move as a signal of ODM’s commitment to unity under Oburu Odinga’s interim leadership following recent developments in the opposition-turned-coalition partner.
Reactions have been mixed. While some ODM loyalists expressed disappointment over losing the outspoken Sifuna, allies of the broad-based government framework praised the decision as a step toward political maturity and reduced sabotage.
Cherargei’s unapologetic glee highlights the deepening divide between hardline opposition voices and those favoring pragmatic engagement with the ruling UDA. As Kenya edges closer to 2027, such purges could reshape alliances and influence the electoral landscape.
This development is the latest in a series of high-stakes maneuvers within ODM, raising questions about the party’s future direction and its role in the evolving national political equation.
