Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has fired back defiantly after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) dramatically removed him as Secretary General, vowing to fight the decision through legal channels and rally supporters at a major event in Kitengela this weekend.
In a fiery press statement Thursday, February 12, 2026, Sifuna insisted he remains the duly elected Secretary General of the party, branding his removal by the National Executive Committee (NEC) as illegal, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of natural justice principles.
Flanked by James Orengo, Winnie Odinga, Senator Osotsi, Caleb Amisi and others the fiery Nairobi Senator reiterated his earlier assertion that Raila Amollo Odinga under whom he served as Secretary General for nine years did not raise cowards.
“The action is illegal and unconstitutional,” Sifuna declared. “At no time have I been informed of any indiscipline. No organ of the party has invited me for disciplinary action.” He added pointedly: “Surrender is no option… Tupatane Kitengela Sunday,” signaling an upcoming grassroots mobilization in Kajiado County on February 15 as part of his “Linda Mwananchi Tour.”
The ouster came Wednesday during a tense NEC meeting in Mombasa, where party officials cited indiscipline and protocol violations. Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo was named Acting Secretary General pending a substantive replacement. The move caps months of internal rifts in ODM, intensified after the passing of longtime leader Raila Odinga and debates over the party’s direction, including alleged covert alignments with President William Ruto’s re-election bid—something Sifuna has openly opposed.
Sifuna, a vocal Raila loyalist, referenced the late opposition icon in his rebuttal: “As I said in Busia, Raila did not raise cowards. We will challenge any decision before the courts.” He emphasized his loyalty to ODM’s founding ideals while promising to defend the party from what he sees as procedural overreach.
The decision has sparked sharp divisions. Allies like Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino have backed Sifuna, with Owino calling the NEC meeting “irregular” and declaring “war has been declared.” Orengo bluntly stated: “As I stand here, the Secretary General of ODM is Senator Edwin Sifuna.” Critics within the party, however, view the removal as necessary to restore discipline amid factional tensions.
Sifuna’s quick pivot to grassroots action—announcing the Kitengela rally mere hours after the ouster—suggests he aims to leverage public support and challenge the leadership shake-up head-on. The event could draw crowds eager to hear from the senator, who has long been a firebrand voice in Kenyan opposition politics.
As ODM navigates this leadership crisis, all eyes are on Kitengela this Sunday. Will Sifuna’s defiance fracture the party further, or rally a comeback? The battle for ODM’s soul is far from over.
