The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) plans to rely on video recordings and transcripts to support its case against Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as it seeks the dismissal of his challenge against his removal as the party’s secretary-general.
During proceedings at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal in Nairobi on Thursday, ODM stated that it will use the video recordings to demonstrate why it expelled Sifuna.
Part of its accusations against him include repeated public contradictions of party positions, a conduct it claims has caused confusion within the political outfit.
The party argues that its evidence will reveal a pattern of behaviour rather than an isolated incident.
At the heart of the dispute is Sifuna’s involvement in the “Linda Mwananchi” political rallies, a parallel initiative to the party’s official “Linda Ground” meetings.
Embattled ODM Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, addresses residents of Funyula at Bukiri Primary School in Busia County on February 28, 2025.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The case, which pits Sifuna against ODM and the Registrar of Political Parties, is being heard by a five-member tribunal panel chaired by Gad Gathu, with members Jin Muzna Mohamed Yusuf, Stephen Musau, Theresa Chepkwony, and Abdirahman Adan Abdikadir.
When the matter was mentioned for directions on Thursday, ODM’s lawyers indicated they would present video clips to substantiate their case for Sifuna’s expulsion. Both parties confirmed that filings were complete, including a replying affidavit from ODM and a supplementary affidavit from the complainant.
ODM’s lawyer, T.J. Kajwang, urged the tribunal to expedite the resolution of Sifuna’s complaint, arguing that the issues raised were not unprecedented.
The party clarified that it had submitted video recordings as digital evidence but had not provided transcripts, prompting the tribunal to direct that transcripts be supplied.
Sifuna’s lawyer, Isaac Okello, stated that his client’s defense would rely on screenshots and screengrabs from media reports rather than video evidence. The tribunal granted Sifuna seven days to file and serve his submissions, with respondents given the same period to respond. Oral arguments are scheduled for March 12, 2026, at 10 a.m.
In its replying affidavit, sworn by National Executive Committee (NEC) member Halima Daro, ODM contends that Sifuna’s complaint is premature since he allegedly failed to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
“The doctrine of exhaustion requires parties to exhaust available remedies before resorting to court action,” the affidavit states, further arguing that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction at this stage.
Daro asserts that Sifuna’s removal was prompted by “various infractions, including his miscommunication of the party’s position on critical issues, thereby causing confusion and compromising the integrity of the party and its organs.”
ODM party leaders at Sameta grounds in Kisii County during the 'Linda Ground' event on January 25, 2026.
Photo credit: Ruth Mbula | Nation Media Group
The affidavit traces the dispute to July 29, 2025, when the Central Committee convened in Karen after Sifuna appeared on Citizen TV’s The Explainer and declared the ODM-UDA memorandum of understanding “dead.”
The late party leader Raila Odinga reportedly chaired the meeting and emphasized that the secretary-general should only speak after party organs had taken positions.
ODM alleges that Sifuna later read the meeting’s resolutions to the media but continued to contradict party decisions after the party endorsed Dr Oburu Oginga as interim leader in October and November 2025.
“The complainant’s contradictory stance has stymied operations,” the affidavit states, noting that the party’s Secretariat relies on guidance from the secretary-general.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna addresses supporters in Kitengela on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Stanley Ngotho | Nation Media Group
The party further claims that Sifuna failed to attend a scheduled mediation meeting at Vipingo Ridge on January 11, 2026, and subsequently missed a Central Committee meeting the following day, though he reportedly sent an apology.
The meeting reportedly approved early preparations for the 2027 elections and public engagement initiatives.
ODM later launched the Linda Ground Initiative across several counties, accusing Sifuna of boycotting party-sanctioned events while spearheading a rival Linda Mwananchi Initiative that included members of opposing parties, actions it says further contradicted official party positions.
Another television appearance by Sifuna on February 3, 2026, allegedly reiterated his dissenting stance.
Days later, he skipped a scheduled NEC meeting, prompting the committee to invoke Article 74(2) of the party constitution to initiate removal proceedings, pending a notice to show cause.
ODM maintains that the decision was not final, stating, “The NEC did not purport to condemn the complainant unheard,” and noting that Article 74(3) guarantees a right to respond.
The party argues that Sifuna moved to the tribunal before receiving formal notice, thereby interrupting what it describes as a “lawful, layered” internal process.
Sifuna, however, contends that his removal was not listed on the NEC meeting agenda, that he received no prior notice, and that the action violated both the party constitution and the Fair Administrative Action Act.
