Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has officially lost his position as ODM Secretary-General after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties recognised the party's decision to remove him and updated its official leadership records.
The decision marks a major development in the months-long dispute over Sifuna's place in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), following a National Executive Committee (NEC) resolution that removed him from the party's top administrative office.
In a letter signed by the Registrar of Political Parties and Chief Executive Officer J.C. Lorionokou, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) said it reviewed documents submitted by ODM before determining that the removal complied with the Political Parties Act and the party's constitution.
The Registrar also noted that Sifuna did not respond to the issues raised despite being given an opportunity to do so.
Through a letter addressed to Sifuna at his office in Parliament Buildings, the Registrar wrote that; “Upon review of the documents submitted by the party and the lack of response from you pursuant to Article 47 of the Constitution, we note that your removal from the office of the party Secretary General was in line with the Political Parties Act Cap. 7D and the ODM party Constitution.”
The letter concluded that “owing to the above, this office has effected the change and updated the party records.”
The decision formally removes Sifuna from ODM's leadership records maintained by the Registrar, effectively recognising the party's leadership changes.
However, Sifuna has rejected the Registrar's decision and is preparing to challenge it.
In a response sent through his lawyer, Isaac Okero, the Nairobi Senator questioned the manner in which the ORPP handled the matter, saying the office reached its conclusion hastily and before following all the required legal steps.
Lawyer Okero further told the ORPP that they note that the effecting of a change in the party records omits the necessary processes of Section 20(2) of the Political Parties Act, rendering the action ultra vires for which they shall seek appropriate relief.
The latest move is expected to trigger another legal battle as Sifuna seeks to overturn the Registrar's decision while contesting his removal from the party's top leadership.