The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has temporarily stopped the implementation of a resolution by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to remove Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General.
In orders issued on February 12, 2026, Acting Chairperson Gad Gathu certified Sifuna’s application as urgent, stayed the National Executive Committee (NEC) decision, and barred the party from publishing the resolution in the Kenya Gazette pending hearing and determination of the case.
The tribunal, in Case No. PPDTC/E004/2026 — Edwin Watenya Sifuna vs Orange Democratic Movement and Office of the Registrar of Political Parties — ruled that “the Notice of Motion application dated 11th February 2026 be and is hereby certified urgent.”
It further ordered that “pending the hearing and determination of this instant application, inter partes, this Honourable Tribunal hereby issues orders staying the implementation of the Resolution made by the National Executive Committee of the Orange Democratic Movement Party on 11th February, 2026 to remove Edwin Sifuna as the Secretary General of the Party.”
The tribunal also restrained the respondents from formalizing the decision through publication.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this instant application, inter partes, this Honourable Tribunal hereby issues an order restraining the Respondents from publishing in the Kenya Gazette the Resolution made on 11th February 2026 to remove Edwin Sifuna as the Secretary General of the Party,” the order reads.
The tribunal directed that the complaint and application be served immediately upon the respondents, who have been given seven days to file and serve their responses. Sifuna, as the complainant, will have three days to file any supplementary response if necessary.
The matter has been scheduled for mention on February 26, 2026, at 2:30 pm to confirm compliance and issue further directions.
The interim orders effectively maintain the status quo within ODM’s top leadership as the legal battle over Sifuna’s position as Secretary General moves to the next stage before the tribunal.
