The Orange Democratic Movement leader Oburu Oginga has defended the party’s decision to discipline Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, stating that the move was meant to enforce order and not to push him out of the party.
Addressing supporters on Sunday during a rally in Makupa, Mombasa, Oburu said ODM remains firm on upholding its rules and that members who go against agreed guidelines must be ready to face action.
“If you don’t follow the rules of the party, you keep out of the party, but if you follow the rules, you will be part and parcel of us,” he said.
Oburu made it clear that Sifuna has not been expelled, even after being asked to step aside from his role.
“We have our Secretary General, Catherine Omanyo, but the other SG, Edwin Sifuna, the party decided that he step aside for a while because of indiscipline. However, we have not expelled him,” Oburu said.
He maintained that the party would not retreat from its position, saying discipline is key to unity and stability within the organisation.
“We are not going to go back because there must be some example of discipline. Someone must feel some little pain for being indisciplined for the party to be united,” he added.
Oburu cautioned against politics driven by individuals, insisting that the party structure must take priority over personal interests.
“The party cannot run based on fear. There is no one who is indispensable, including me. When I’m undisciplined, I must be removed. No one is bigger than the party.”
He said ODM is founded on rules set by its members and warned that ignoring them could weaken the movement.
Sifuna was removed from the position of secretary general after what the party described as a crackdown on internal dissent. However, he has rejected the decision and insists he remains the legitimate office holder, dismissing a resolution by a section of the party’s National Executive Committee made in Mombasa.
The Political Parties Tribunal later reinstated him.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, a day after the NEC meeting in Mombasa, Sifuna described the move as unlawful and procedurally flawed.
“I have taken note of the announcement made by a section of the ODM NEC in Mombasa yesterday, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, purporting to remove me from the position of Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement,” Sifuna said.
He challenged the legitimacy of the decision, stating, “Let me state, without fear of contradiction, that this action is illegal, unprocedural, and a blatant violation of the ODM Constitution, as well as the principles of natural justice.”
Sifuna argued that he had not been informed of any complaints or disciplinary proceedings that would warrant his removal from the position he says he still holds.
“At no time have I been informed of any allegations against me, be they of indiscipline, insubordination, or incompetence in the execution of my duties as SG,” he said. “Neither have I been invited to respond to any complaints in or out of the party on any matter that would constitute grounds for removal.”
He further stated, “Consequently, no lawful organ of the party has invited me for any hearing.”
The senator linked the dispute to his stand on internal party direction.
“Indeed, as far as internal differences in opinion go, my only ‘crime’ is that I oppose any plans and schemes within the party to support President William Ruto’s re-election,” he said.
