ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino /DOUGLAS OKIDDY

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has temporarily halted removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as ODM secretary general.

The ruling was made after Sifuna challenged the party's Wednesday decision.

"That pending the hearing and determination of this instant application, inter partes, this Honourable Tribunal hereby issues orders staying the implementation of the resolution made by the National Executive Committee of the Orange Democratic Movement Party on 11th February, 2026 to remove Edwin Sifuna as the secretary general of the party," PPDT acting chairperson Gad Gathu ruled.

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It certified Sifuna’s application as urgent, ordering that the complaint and notice of motion be served on the respondents immediately.

The application, earlier filed by Sifuna, sought urgent relief from the tribunal following ODM’s National Executive Committee resolution of February 11, which purported to remove him as the party’s secretary general.

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In the filing, Sifuna requested that the tribunal certify the matter as urgent and hear it ex-parte in the first instance.

He sought orders suspending the implementation of the resolution, restraining the party and office of registrar of political parties from publishing it in the Kenya Gazette.

The application further sought exemption from exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanisms and requested that the costs of the application be borne by the respondents.

The ODM and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties were given seven days to respond, with a further three days allowed for Sifuna to file any supplementary reply.

The matter is set for mention on February 26 to verify compliance and provide further directions.

Crucially, the tribunal issued interim orders staying the implementation of the ODM resolution and restraining the respondents from publishing it in the Kenya Gazette.

Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi earlier, Sifuna insisted he remains the party’s validly elected secretary general.

“I was not given a chance to defend myself,” he said, asserting that the NEC’s action violated party’s procedures.

Sifuna maintained that he remains committed to ODM and its founding ideals, vowing to continue defending the party.

“Whatever actions I take, I will do so knowing that I have never let down my leader, Raila. We shall fight for ODM; surrender is not an option for us. I remain a loyal member and the duly elected secretary general of ODM,” he said.