Africa-Press – Kenya. ODM Party leader Oburu Oginga has defended the party’s disciplinary action against Edwin Sifuna, saying the move was not meant to expel the Nairobi Senator from the Orange party.
Speaking on Sunday during a rally in Makupa, Mombasa, Oburu said the party expects members to adhere to its rules, warning that indiscipline would attract consequences.
“If you don’t follow the rules of the party, you keep out of the party, but if you follow the rules, you will be part and parcel of us,” he said.
The Orange Party leader maintained that Sifuna remains within ODM ranks despite being asked to step aside.
“We have our Secretary General, Catherine Omanyo, but the other SG, Edwin Sifuna—the party decided that he step aside for a while because of indiscipline. However, we have not expelled him,” Oburu said.
He stressed that the party would not reverse its disciplinary stance, arguing that enforcement of rules is necessary to maintain unity.
Oburu warned against personality-driven politics within the Orange party, insisting that no individual is bigger than the organisation.
“We are not going to go back because there must be some example of discipline. Someone must feel some little pain for being indisciplined for the party to be united,” he added.
“The party cannot run based on fear. There is no one who is indispensable, including me. When I’m undisciplined, I must be removed. No one is bigger than the party.”
He emphasised that ODM is built on rules agreed upon by its members and cautioned that failure to observe them could weaken the party.
Sifuna was ousted as ODM secretary general as the party cracked down on internal rebellion. However, Sifuna has declared that he remains ODM’s secretary general, dismissing a decision by a section of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) that purported to remove him from office.
The Political Parties Tribunal also later reinstated him.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, a day after the NEC meeting in Mombasa, Sifuna described the move as unlawful and procedurally flawed.
“I have taken note of the announcement made by a section of the ODM NEC in Mombasa yesterday, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, purporting to remove me from the position of Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement,” Sifuna said.
He challenged the legitimacy of the decision, stating, “Let me state, without fear of contradiction, that this action is illegal, unprocedural, and a blatant violation of the ODM Constitution, as well as the principles of natural justice.”
Sifuna argued that he had not been informed of any complaints or disciplinary proceedings that would warrant his removal from the position he says he still holds.
“At no time have I been informed of any allegations against me, be they of indiscipline, insubordination, or incompetence in the execution of my duties as SG,” he said. “Neither have I been invited to respond to any complaints in or out of the party on any matter that would constitute grounds for removal.”
He further stated, “Consequently, no lawful organ of the party has invited me for any hearing.”
The senator suggested that his stance on internal party matters may have contributed to the dispute.
“Indeed, as far as internal differences in opinion go, my only ‘crime’ is that I oppose any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto’s re-election,” he said.
