The axe has finally fallen on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) formally recognising his removal as the Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
This brings to an end months of protracted legal battles and internal party wrangling over Sifuna's position within the opposition party.
In a letter addressed to the ODM party leadership, the Registrar of Political Parties and Chief Executive Officer, J.C. Lorionokou, confirmed that the removal process was in line with both the Political Parties Act Cap. 70 and the ODM party constitution.
The letter stated that upon reviewing documents submitted by the party and noting the lack of response from Sifuna, the office had effected the change and updated the party records accordingly.
The ODM party had through its National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to remove Sifuna from the position, citing concerns over discipline and conduct within the party's senior ranks. The NEC, chaired by party leader Dr Oburu Oginga, unanimously adopted recommendations from the Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC) which had been investigating a complaint against the Senator.
Acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo, who has been serving in an interim capacity, said the party had waited for too long to get the greenlight to drop errant members from its leadership structures.
However, Sifuna has maintained that his removal was not properly done. Through his lawyer Isaac Okero, he quickly responded to the registrar's letter, stating that they read mischief in the hasty conclusion of the processes.
The lawyer further noted that the effecting of changes in party records omitted necessary processes under Section 20(2) of the Political Parties Act, rendering the action ultra vires, and indicated they would seek appropriate legal relief.
The embattled Senator had previously clarified that his legal challenge was not about clinging to the position but about ensuring that the party follows its own constitution.
He had consistently argued that the decision to remove him violated both party rules and statutory requirements governing internal party democracy, maintaining that he was removed without being given a fair hearing.
This was after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal had earlier ruled that ODM breached basic tenets of natural justice by proceeding to remove him without affording him an opportunity to respond to concerns raised against him.
The developments come even as Sifuna and other individuals in the Linda Mwananchi team have announced plans to launch a political party ahead of the 2027 general election, with Sifuna being fronted as a possible presidential candidate.
For now, the ORPP has made changes to ODM leadership, effectively removing Sifuna's name from the party leadership list, bringing to a close one of the most dramatic leadership disputes in recent Kenyan political history.
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