“I am very excited,” Mbadi says on Sifuna’s removal as ODM SG

Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi/FILE

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has openly celebrated the removal of Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

He said he is very excited about the decision and had been deeply troubled by Sifuna's actions within the party.

Speaking on Citizen TV on the evening of February 11, 2026, hours after ODM's National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to relieve Sifuna of his duties, Mbadi tied the move directly to protecting the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.

“I am very excited...I have been so depressed seeing what he was doing for ODM,” Mbadi said. 

"I am sure Raila invested his life in ODM not to die and have ODM isambaratike immediately. That could not be the legacy of Raila Odinga. You need to sometimes swallow your pride, come down for the sake of Raila's party. If you are claiming to respect Raila and you want to destroy his party months after his death, it is not fair to his legacy. I am very excited...," the Treasury CS added.

The comments came amid heightened internal divisions in ODM following Raila Odinga's death on October 15, 2025, from cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment in India.

Raila, the party's iconic founder and long-time leader, was laid to rest on October 19, 2025, after a state funeral in Nairobi and burial in his Bondo home in Siaya County.

Mbadi, a former ODM national chairperson and a prominent advocate for the party’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration under the broad-based government arrangement, had earlier called for Sifuna’s expulsion, alleging factionalism, indiscipline, and pursuing agendas misaligned with party resolutions.

He clarified during the interview that the NEC had recommended Sifuna's removal, leading to his immediate relief from duties and the appointment of Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo (Busia Woman Representative) as acting SG.

The decision awaits ratification by the National Governing Council and eventual election of a substantive replacement at a National Delegates Conference. 

The NEC's resolution on February 11, 2026, in Mombasa cited concerns over Sifuna's conduct, including alleged failure to uphold party discipline.

Sifuna, the Nairobi Senator, has been critical of aspects of ODM's collaboration with the government, which some party factions view as a betrayal of Raila's opposition roots.

Sifuna was not present at the Mombasa meeting.

Hours later on his X account, Sifuna said he will speak to the media on Wednesday morning following his removal.

Sifuna said he had been “overwhelmed by the messages of support and encouragement” from the public since the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to relieve him of his duties on Wednesday.

“I will speak to the press this morning to address some of your concerns. Ahsanteni sana. God bless,” Sifuna wrote.