ODM removes Sifuna as Secretary General, citing indiscipline

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Executive Committee indeed took action to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as the party's Secretary General. This decision was announced with immediate effect, with the party citing indiscipline and violations of party protocol as the primary reasons for his removal. The initial reports clearly indicated a definitive move by the party's top organ to strip Sifuna of his secretarial duties. The context surrounding this decision reveals a period of significant internal discord within the ODM party. Prior to his removal, Senator Sifuna had publicly challenged party decisions, notably declaring an ODM SDC meeting at Jamhuri Grounds as "fake" while still holding the Secretary General position. Further evidence of internal strife emerged with reports detailing a "showdown" where Oburu Oginga and Sifuna were set to hold rival ODM meetings in Nairobi, underscoring a deep-seated disagreement over party direction and protocol, which likely contributed to the party's charge of indiscipline. Confirming the party's stance on the matter, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga later clarified that while the party had no intention of revoking Edwin Sifuna's membership, the decision to relieve him of his duties as Secretary General remained firm. This statement from a senior party figure unequivocally affirmed that Sifuna had been removed from the specific office, even if his status as a party member was not affected, thereby distinguishing between removal from a party position and expulsion from the party itself. However, the finality of this removal was subsequently challenged. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal intervened, issuing a directive for the ODM party to follow and exhaust its internal dispute resolution mechanisms. This tribunal ruling indicated that while the party had indeed initiated the process of removing Sifuna, the legal and procedural aspects of that removal were subject to review and required adherence to established internal protocols. Despite this judicial intervention, the initial action by the ODM National Executive Committee to remove Sifuna, citing indiscipline, did occur as reported, fulfilling the core aspect of the claim regarding the party's decision and announcement.