After weeks of squabbling, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Board of Trustees has stepped in to save the 20-year-old party from running aground.
The move was triggered by the fear of playing into the hands of the party’s detractors as well as the risk of disintegration just three months after the death of ODM founder and leader Raila Odinga .
This buys time for ODM Secretary-General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who some officials and members want expelled.
ODM party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Appointed by Odinga, the trustees are tasked with ensuring overall stability and management of ODM, especially during leadership transition and crises.
Mr Sifuna faces pressure from some members and officials to resign. They accuse him of working with the party’s “enemies”.
The Nairobi senator, who is also the party’s spokesman, says some members and officials are out to auction ODM by supporting President William Ruto's re-election “against Odinga’s wishes”.
A high-level meeting involving influential figures, some from the board and others from outside the party – including Odinga’s widow Ida – put an end to the campaign to expel Senator Sifuna, saying it lacks the blessing of ODM power brokers.
Multiple sources said the decision by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch to call for Mr Sifuna’s de-whipping from parliamentary positions and expulsion from the party took top ODM officials by surprise.
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The board has arranged a meeting with the relevant parties. The board members are Dr Oburu Oginga, the Siaya Senator and current party leader; Mr Timothy Bosire, the ODM Treasurer; former Attorney-General Amos Wako; Deputy Secretary-General Agnes Zani; and Mr Joshua Kawino, the ODM Director of Finance and Administration.
Party insiders are also concerned that the petition could lead to the crumbling of ODM and weaken its negotiating power ahead of the elections.
“The fear in the leadership was that the process instigated by Senator Oketch would play into the hands of forces who know that a united ODM will come to the negotiating table emboldened and with more demands,” said a source who did not wish to be named.
There is also the fear of antagonising the Western voting bloc, a stronghold for the party.
“Western Kenya would not take the expulsion of Mr Sifuna lying low. The region has supported the party since the 2007 elections,” another source said.
Keeping the “gather all, scatter none” spirit of Odinga also played a part in halting the motion.
The sources said it was agreed that Senator Oketch’s letter be shelved until a meeting of ODM’s top officials and the trustees is held to forge unity.
“The meeting will explore a truce between National Assembly Minority Leader and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Senator Sifuna,” another insider said.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
The tone of Senator Oketch’s letter withdrawing the censure motion hinted at the high-ranking meeting.
In the letter by Mr Oketch’s advocate Gad Aguko, the senator said the about-turn was informed by “wide consultations with Dr Oginga and relevant party organs to explore dialogue”.
Senator Oketch said the fate of Mr Sifuna lies with Dr Oginga who has the powers to resolve disputes in the party.
“The party leader is implored upon to exercise the powers in order to protect ODM and its members who have been victims of the wanton attacks, which formed the subject of the complaint,” Mr Oketch said.
The letter was a departure from the Monday one which went into details on why Mr Sifuna should not escape the political “hangman’s noose”.
Mr Oketch had written to the party organs to begin disciplinary action against Mr Sifuna “for gross misconduct, with a view to expelling him”.
The Migori senator accused his Nairobi colleague of usurping the powers of the party leader by purporting to negotiate for coalitions, frustrating ODM’s efforts to meet its objectives as well as indiscipline and dishonesty by denying the party’s involvement in the broad-based government.
Mr Oketch also accused Mr Sifuna of reckless and sabotage, saying the secretary-general has been making public the party’s confidential information.
He wanted the Nairobi senator to be suspended from discharging his duties or carrying himself as party secretary-general and be de-whipped and/or recalled from parliamentary leadership and committees.
Mr Sifuna is also the Senate deputy minority whip and sits in the County Public Accounts; Energy and other Senate committees.
The letter claimed Senator Sifuna has violated the ODM constitution and the Political Parties Act, 2012 by associating with party’s opponents.
From left: ODM deputy party leaders, Simba Arati, Godfrey Osotsi, secretary general Edwin Sifuna and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi during the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
It also accused him of disowning ODM’s agreement on the broad-based government despite a deal endorsed by the party.
Mr Sifuna was under fire for reportedly making public confidential party affairs, including funding for the 2022 presidential campaigns.
The revelation of the information, considered an internal affair – according to Mr Oketch – jeopardises the party’s image.
He argued that the action violated the party’s constitution, which requires a member to refrain from publishing and/or distributing information deemed to be confidential without the authority of the regular organ of ODM.
“It is clear that the member is on rampage and out to sabotage the party. Clearly, there is an urgent need for action to be taken to salvage the party from sinking in his ocean of ego and sea of arrogance and to immediately relieve him of his duties,” Mr Oketch said in his letter.
“If not, then commence disciplinary proceedings for purposes of having him expelled from the party.”
