Fresh political wrangles is unfolding inside the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as divisions deepen over the future of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who currently serves as the party’s Secretary General. The party’s National Central Committee is expected to meet this week to deliberate on a proposal to replace him a move insiders say enjoys the backing of a majority of senior officials.
This development comes amid growing public disagreements among ODM leaders, reviving long-standing internal issues that intensified following the death of former party leader Raila Odinga. With Odinga gone, the party has struggled to maintain cohesion, as rivals pushing and competing for influence in the post-Raila era.
Emergency Crisis Talks as Tensions Rise
In recent days, ODM officials have been pushing for an emergency ceasefire meeting aimed at cooling political tempers within the party. The proposed crisis session is expected to address heated exchanges between key party figures, including Edwin Sifuna and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed , public spats that have alarmed senior ODM loyalists and exposed the fragile unity within the movement.
Party vice chairperson Otiende Amollo has urged ODM leaders to refrain from trading insults in public, warning that unrestrained verbal attacks risk damaging the party’s image and weakening its organizational structure.
“We urge them to desist from public verbal slurs,” said Amollo, insisting that despite the mounting speculation, no formal internal process has yet been initiated to remove Sifuna from office.
However, other senior figures appear determined to see change at the top. Migori Senator Eddy Oketch is among those openly pushing for Sifuna’s exit, accusing him of contributing to disunity within ODM and undermining cohesion at a critical moment.
A Party at a Crossroads
ODM has long been one of Kenya’s most influential political parties, historically anchored around Raila Odinga’s leadership and charisma. But following his death, the party has found itself navigating uncertainty of its future with new centers of power emerging and internal mistrust reportedly growing.
Political pundits and Analysts note that Odinga’s absence has created a leadership vacuum, igniting competition among senior figures seeking to shape ODM’s future direction. The row surrounding Sifuna’s position once seen as secure is now widely interpreted as part of this broader battle for influence.
The planned Central Committee meeting is expected to set the tone for the party’s internal re-alignment. If the majority prevails, Sifuna could become the latest casualty of ODM’s increasingly volatile political climate.
Calls for Restraint — But Will They Hold?
While some leaders push for unity, the tone from various factions suggests deep mistrust. The crisis meeting is expected to serve as a last-minute intervention to prevent ODM’s disputes from spiraling further into the public arena.
Still, questions linger:
Can ODM re-establish internal discipline without silencing legitimate dissent?
Is the push to remove Sifuna political reform or factional maneuvering?
And most critically who truly holds power inside ODM today?
For now, the party remains publicly divided and the outcome of this week’s meeting may determine whether ODM stabilizes or plunges into a prolonged internal struggle.
What seems clear is that the replacement of Edwin Sifuna would mark a major turning point, signaling not only a leadership reshuffle but perhaps the beginning of a new era inside ODM, one no longer anchored around a unifying figure, but instead shaped by competing political camps.
Siyad Reports will continue tracking developments inside the ODM party as the situation evolves.