Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has criticised the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over its decision to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the party’s Secretary General.
Maanzo warned that the move could have far-reaching political consequences for the party.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV, Maanzo claimed the ouster of Sifuna weakens ODM at a critical time in the country’s political realignments.
“I can assure you, ODM will regret forever. This is now how they will never be part of government,” he stated.
Maanzo, a Wiper lawmaker, argued that Sifuna had played a central role in expanding and consolidating the party’s support base across various regions.
He explained that ODM’s spread in the country has largely been driven by goodwill from regions including Nyanza, Western, the Coast and Nairobi.
According to the senator, Sifuna’s removal was strategically designed to pave the way for ODM to work with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a move he alleged has not been universally welcomed within the party.
“Without Sifuna, what is left of ODM?” he added.
“We are going to see more of this. There are bigger forces within ODM which do not support UDA, and for good reasons,” Maanzo said.
He further claimed that collaboration with UDA would undermine the ideological foundation upon which ODM was built.
“UDA does everything that Raila Odinga and ODM never stood for,” he said, claiming that “The 10 Point Agenda will now not be achieved.”
Maanzo also questioned the legality of Sifuna’s removal, alleging that the party failed to adhere to its own constitutional procedures.
He claimed that even the removal of Sifuna was illegal because ODM never followed its constitution.
Sifuna has had a meteoric rise in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, where he has served for 10 years, first as acting Secretary General and eight years later as the substantive Secretary General. He has held the position of ODM Secretary General for close to eight years before his removal.
His ouster was confirmed by ODM’s senior leadership following a National Executive Council (NEC) resolution meeting held on Wednesday, February 11.
In a statement, the party cited concerns over discipline within its ranks.
"The National Executive Council (NEC) expressed concern over rising levels of indiscipline within the party, especially within senior leadership positions. The committee declared that ODM is governed by constitutional rule of law and collective decision-making through its duly constituted organs," a statement from ODM's NEC read.
"Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office effective immediately.”
Following the decision, Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, who previously served as the party’s deputy Secretary General, assumed the role in an acting capacity.
Omanyo will oversee the Secretariat as ODM prepares for a National Delegates Convention (NDC) scheduled for March 27, 2026.
Besides Sifuna’s ouster, the ODM leadership also resolved to initiate the formal process of exiting the Azimio la Umoja One coalition, signalling a significant shift in the party’s political trajectory.
Sifuna is set to address the press on Thursday 10.30 am.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!