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Sifuna loses ODM SG battle as Registrar of Political Parties approves ouster
Edwin Sifuna addresses the media at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on February 18, 2026.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has officially lost his battle to retain his position as ODM Secretary General after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties approved his removal and updated the party's official records.
The move now hands a major victory to the party leadership amid an escalating ideological war over ODM's future.
In a letter dated July 9, 2026, Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou, confirmed that his office had updated ODM's official records to reflect Mr Sifuna's removal after determining that the party had complied with the Political Parties Act and its own constitution.
"Upon review of the documents submitted by the party and the lack of response from Hon. Edwin Watenya Sifuna, we note that the removal of the party Secretary General was in line with the Political Parties Act Cap. 7D and the ODM party constitution," the Registrar said in the letter addressed to ODM's Deputy Party Leader, National Chairperson and Executive Director.
"This Office has effected the change and updated the party records."
However, through his Advocate Isaac Okero, Mr Sifuna accused the Registrar of ignoring his responses to the notice of removal and acting in breach of the Political Parties Act.
In his letter also dated July 9, the lawyer argued that the Registrar relied on an email address that does not appear on the office's official letterheads, yet failed to consider responses that had been sent to the Registrar's official email address on June 30 and July 2.
"Our client reads mischief in your letter and the hasty conclusion of the Section 20(1) processes. We further note that your effecting of a change in the party records omits the necessary processes under Section 20(2) of the Political Parties Act, rendering your action ultra vires, for which our client shall seek appropriate relief," the lawyer said.
Mr Sifuna maintained that the Registrar acted prematurely and outside the law, insisting that he would pursue legal remedies to overturn the decision.
The Registrar’s decision marks a significant victory for the Dr Oburu Oginga-led party aligned to the broad-based government and could bring to an end weeks of uncertainty over the fate of one of the party's most outspoken officials.
Mr Sifuna had become the face of resistance within ODM after openly criticising the party's cooperation agreement with President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration and consistently insisting that ODM should remain a fully-fledged opposition party despite the Memorandum of Understanding signed with UDA.
The move by the Registrar comes barely a Week after a section of Linda Mwananchi leaders from Western Kenya announced their intention to unveil a new political party, and front Mr Sifuna for president.
The resolutions were made on Sunday during a meeting hosted by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and attended by Mr Sifuna, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga and Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami, among other leaders.
“Our resolution is that Mr Sifuna will contest the presidency in 2027. Soon, we shall announce the party we will use to seek the presidency,” said Mr Natembeya.
“We are going to launch vigorous grassroots campaigns in all 38 constituencies in Western Kenya to mobilise our people to register as voters and support our political agenda,” the governor added.
