Mbadi: ODM’s NEC acted within the law on Sifuna’s removal

ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) acted within the party constitution in recommending the removal of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Treasury CS John Mbadi has said.

Mbadi defended the NEC’s decision, noting that it was a recommendation, not a final removal, and that the matter will proceed through the party’s legally established structures.

He explained that the recommendation must first be considered by the National Governing Council (NGC) and later ratified by the National Delegates Conference (NDC), in line with ODM’s constitutional framework.

“To me, they have acted within the law and within the constitution of the party. The National Executive Committee has just recommended. Sifuna has not been removed. He has been recommended for removal,” Mbadi said.

“In his place, they have put an acting leader until it is ratified. The NGC can put an acting secretary general who would effectively execute the mandate awaiting ratification.”

Mbadi said the decision comes at a pivotal time for the Orange party, which he described as being at a turning point following the exit of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga.

He stressed that party spokespersons are bound to communicate official party positions rather than personal views.

“The most talked about party for almost two decades in this country is ODM and it is not by accident. ODM is at a turning point because a bigger part of the party has been lost, Raila Odinga. If there is any time that ODM needed coherence in terms of communication and unity, it is this time,” he said.

“Sifuna is supposed to be the spokesperson of the party. When you are the spokesperson, you don’t speak your mind to the public contrary to what the party has resolved. You speak what the party has resolved.”

He noted that internal disagreements should be expressed within party organs such as the Central Committee, but once the NEC makes a decision, it becomes binding.

“If you don’t want to communicate that position, the best thing is to resign from that position,” he said.

Mbadi maintained that political parties have internal mechanisms to manage dissent and enforce discipline.

“Parties talk to their leaders, and if you can’t listen, they make a decision. A decision can be taken at the party organs. I’m happy that at least the party organs are now acting,” he said.

On Wednesday, ODM removed Sifuna as the party’s secretary general, prompting reactions from across the political divide.

In a statement issued after the NEC meeting in Mombasa, the party announced that Sifuna had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.

“Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of the Secretary General, Senator Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office with immediate effect, in accordance with party constitution and applicable laws, effective immediately,” the statement read.