ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has reaffirmed that his membership and leadership role in the party are secure, insisting that no one can remove him without following the party’s established rules.
In a Tuesday interview with Citizen TV, Sifuna said attempts to challenge his position outside formal procedures are invalid. He emphasised that ODM’s constitution clearly sets out how leadership changes should happen, including through a National Delegates Convention (NDC) if necessary.
“I am in ODM, and nobody can kick me out of ODM. I have no intention of leaving ODM. I’ve said this publicly a thousand times. You don’t have to be an official of the party to be a member. If we get to a point where a national delegates convention (NDC) is called, I am subject to election. Let whoever wants to run for Secretary General do so. I cannot refuse anyone from running for any position in the party. When we demand these processes, it is to provide legitimacy for the leadership, not to remove anyone,” he said.
Sifuna pointed out that the party has not yet convened an NDC to elect a new leader following the death of Raila Odinga, despite the constitution’s clear instructions.
“Article 16, D, 2d says that in the event the party leader is unable to discharge their duties due to death, a special national delegates convention shall be convened to elect a new leader. It’s been three months since Baba’s passing, and an NDC has yet to be called,” he said.
On the appointment of Raila Odinga’s brother, Oburu Oginga, as interim party leader, Sifuna argued that the move did not follow constitutional procedures. He explained that deputy leaders should rotate responsibilities until a proper NDC is held.
“The Constitution provides for deputy party leaders to deputise and rotate responsibilities until a proper NDC can be convened. I was not part of the meeting that installed him because I had been assigned to bring Baba back from Mumbai. Proper procedure would have been to allow one of the deputies to act in rotation until a special NDC could elect a leader,” he said.
Sifuna also addressed ODM’s coalition strategy, saying negotiations must follow the Kilifi committee resolution. He noted that some MPs have suggested the party already has a deal with UDA, but the resolution allows for inclusive talks with multiple partners.
“ODM values are supremacy of party members, social and economic justice, respect for constitutionalism and the rule of law, respect for individual and people’s rights and freedoms, democratic governance, and people’s participation. Any partner must mirror these values. ODM would not tear gas a church, and we would not condone killing young people or shrinking democratic space,” Sifuna said.
He criticised political talks that focus mainly on resources and positions instead of principles.
“Politics is persuasion, not intimidation. We need discussions on how UDA’s values align with ours. Roads and markets are important, but democracy, freedom, and the rule of law are paramount. Dictators build roads; only democrats respect individual freedoms,” he said.
On the possibility of convening a special NDC, Sifuna expressed confidence that ODM members will uphold the party’s values and choose leaders accordingly.
“The membership understands these values. If a special NDC is held, it will provide legitimacy to the leadership. It is not anyone’s birthright to be Secretary General or occupy any position in the party. Leadership must be grounded in party values, and ODM members will determine that,” he said.
