News09 July 2026 - 19:22

Registrar Of Political Parties approves Sifuna’s removal as ODM SG

Agency says removal process complied with both the Political Parties Act and ODM's constitution

by CHRISTABEL ADHIAMBO

Audio By Vocalize

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has formally recognised the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General.

The ORPP concluded that the removal process complied with both the Political Parties Act and the party's constitution.

In a letter signed by the Registrar of Political Parties and Chief Executive Officer J.C. Lorionokou, the Registrar said the decision followed a review of documents submitted by ODM as well as the absence of a response from Sifuna regarding the matter.

The Registrar said the office had considered correspondence relating to the powers of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) to establish committees and determine their terms of reference before reaching its decision.

"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 letter states.

The Registrar further indicated that the Office had effected the changes and updated the party's official records to reflect its current leadership, effectively recognising the NEC's decision for the purposes of the official register.

"This Office has effected the change and updated the party records."

According to the letter, the determination was made after the Registrar examined the documents submitted by ODM and found that the process met the legal requirements under the Political Parties Act and the party's constitution.

However, Sifuna's legal team has challenged the Registrar's decision.

In a letter addressed to the Registrar, Senior Counsel Isaac Okero, acting for Sifuna, argued that the move amounted to what he described as a clear procedural irregularity and maintained that the changes should not have been effected.

"Our client considers this action to be procedurally improper. Effecting changes to the party records violates the Political Parties Act, and our client will not hesitate to pursue the appropriate legal remedies," Okero said in the letter.

Following Thursday's directions, the Tribunal scheduled Sifuna's application for hearing on July 21, 2026, when it will consider whether the disciplinary process and his removal complied with both the ODM Constitution and the law.

Speaking at ODM headquarters in Nairobi, Omanyo urged Sifuna to stop holding on to the position and allow the party to move forward under its current leadership.

"We have been patient enough. We have listened to both sides and given him enough time, but we cannot keep waiting for one individual to decide what they want," she said.

Omanyo maintained that the party had followed its internal processes and was now focused on allowing its elected leadership to carry out its mandate without further interruptions.

The dispute over the Secretary-General's position remains the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, with Sifuna maintaining that the process leading to his removal did not comply with the law or the party's internal procedures.