Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chairperson and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has moved to have Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna suspended and possibly expelled from the party, accusing him of gross misconduct, indiscipline and deliberate sabotage of the party.
In a complaint filed through Aguko, Osman & Company Advocates, Senator Oketch accuses Sifuna of illegally usurping powers reserved for the Party Leader by allegedly engaging in coalition negotiations without authority.
The complaint cites Article 16(1)(f) of the ODM Constitution, which states: “The Party Leader shall lead the Party at political negotiations to form a working coalition with any other Party or Parties with the sole purpose of forming the Government as may be desirable in the circumstances.”
According to Oketch, Sifuna acted outside this provision by purporting to negotiate or pronounce himself on coalition matters, despite not holding the mandate to do so.
The ODM chair further accuses the senator of indiscipline and dishonesty, alleging that he publicly disowned the party’s participation in the Broad-Based Government arrangement even though the position had been formally adopted by the relevant party organs.
The letter argues that such conduct violates Article 11(1)(e) of the party constitution, which requires members to: “Observe discipline, the Party’s Code of Conduct and obey lawful decisions made by the Party organs.”
Oketch also claims Sifuna frustrated ODM’s objectives under Article 7(1)(aa), which lists among the party’s aims
“To enter into coalition with political parties pursuing similar objectives in the Republic of Kenya.”
He contends that Sifuna’s repeated public pronouncements against coalition arrangements undermined the party’s strategic direction and progress, which he was instead expected to champion as Secretary General.
Further, the complaint accuses Sifuna of reckless and deliberate sabotage by allegedly disclosing confidential party information, including sensitive details about the funding of ODM’s 2022 presidential campaign.
According to the letter, Sifuna:
“Made public remarks on confidential Party affairs concerning the Party’s funding of the 2022 Presidential campaigns particularly the source of some funds and their dispatch.”
The disclosure, it argues, breached Article 11(1)(f) of the ODM Constitution, which obligates members to refrain from publishing or distributing confidential information without proper authorization.
The complaint describes the senator as being “on rampage and completely out to sabotage the Party,” adding:
“He has self-declared himself ‘Waziri wa Sherehe’ and seemingly got lost in the ‘Sherehe’ and no longer prioritizes the progress of the Party.”
Citing Article 18(1)(e) of the party constitution, which entrusts the chairperson with enforcing discipline and order, Oketch is seeking Sifuna’s immediate suspension from discharging duties or presenting himself as ODM Secretary General.
He also wants Sifuna de-whipped and recalled from all parliamentary leadership positions and committees, arguing that those roles were enabled by ODM membership whose ideologies he allegedly no longer subscribes to.
Further, the chairperson asks that Sifuna be deemed to have resigned from the party, with his name struck off the party register under Section 14A(2) and (3) of the Political Parties Act, or, in the alternative, that formal disciplinary proceedings be commenced to expel him under Section 14B of the same law.
However, Senator Sifuna has dismissed the complaint as baseless and politically motivated, accusing Senator Oketch of resurrecting a matter that had previously failed.
“Senator Eddy Oketch is once again the complainant against his colleague Senator Edwin Sifuna over allegations that have no legal legs to stand on,” Sifuna said.
“He was the hired assassin against us and lost and together with ODM were ordered to pay us costs. He will most certainly lose again should he continue with this misadventure.”
Sifuna said he had personally spoken to Oketch and urged him to withdraw the complaint to avoid reputational damage.
“I have spoken to him directly and asked him to withdraw this letter at least to save his reputation,” he said.
Quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Sifuna remarked:“You will go far, very far indeed, but in the wrong direction.”
He maintained that his criticisms of ODM were longstanding and that party members deserved honesty.
“ODM faithfuls deserve to know the truth. The people who treated Baba, ODM and ODM members as ATM machines are now being exposed,” Sifuna said, adding:
“Those receiving weekly payments and billing three sources for the same goods and services are known.”
The dispute now places ODM’s internal cohesion under fresh strain as party organs consider whether to escalate the matter through formal disciplinary channels.
