Sifuna’s continued stay as SG is ‘no longer tenable’ according to Treasury CS John Mbadi, who called for his removal just three days before the National Executive Council met to effect the move.
Sifuna is not only considered a stumbling block due to his outspoken opposition to the Broad-Based Government but also because of the crucial role the secretary general plays in negotiations and communication.
According to the ODM Constitution, the secretary general is
the custodian of key party documents, including resolutions of the NEC and, in
line with the Political Parties Act, the only authorised official of the ODM
party who can communicate any changes, including depositing coalition agreement
instruments with the Registrar of Political Parties.
Article 5 of the ODM Constitution stipulates that, “He or she shall be the party spokesperson and be responsible for the management of the National Secretariat and remain the principal custodian of party records from grassroots to the national level.”
The SG is tasked with keeping or causing to be kept a proper record of minutes of all meetings of the National Executive Committee, the National Governing Council and the National Delegates Conference, and ensuring the distribution of such minutes and conveying decisions made to the persons and branches concerned.
He or she is the depository and custodian of all party documents, including party seal, minutes register, instruments of intellectual property rights, instruments of registration, registration of all party branches and the party members’ register.
“Corresponding and consulting with the Registrar of Political Parties on behalf of the party as the authorised principal officer of the party,” Article 5 (VI) states.
Chapter 10 of the ODM Constitution provides that the party may form alliances and coalitions with other like-minded political parties.
The decision to form such alliances and coalitions shall be determined by two-thirds of the National Executive Committee.
“Instruments of such coalition, affiliations and alliances shall be executed and deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties. The secretary general shall keep custody of all such Instruments,” 10.0.2 says.
The Third Schedule of the Political Parties Act, 2011 provides that ‘a coalition agreement shall be sanctioned by the governing body of the political parties entering into the coalition and shall — (a) be in writing and duly executed by authorised national party officials; and (b) be commissioned by a Commissioner of Oaths.’
It is with such background that the party’s NEC meeting held on Wednesday in Shanzu, Mombasa resolved to remove Sifuna and replace him with Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo in an acting capacity.
In an indicator that Sifuna’s fate was sealed, party leader
Oburu Oginga lashed out in his opening remarks at party officials who
contradict what they have agreed in committees.
“It is okay if other members of our party exercise democratic rights to say what they like,” he said.
“It is not right for me, as a party leader, to go out and shout what was not agreed upon and what is my personal view, and then say it is my democratic right. If it is your democratic right, then there is chaos in the country. Democracy does not mean chaos.”
Vihiga Senator and deputy party leader Godfrey Osostsi and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi argue that external forces are behind the removal, saying Sifuna was non-compliant.
“The changes were sanctioned by State House. William Ruto is
now micromanaging the party and issuing instructions on what he wants done. He
has to get a compliant SG,” Osostsi said.
Kibagendi alleged that the NEC had finished its meeting but was recalled to remove Sifuna despite warnings that it was being done irregularly.
“They (UDA and Ruto) understand that an independent-minded
person like Sifuna could have derailed their agenda,” he said.
“This will backfire badly as the party is now being reduced to a tribal party.”
In a poster shared on his Facebook accounts just minutes after his ouster, a defiant Sifuna announced a ‘Linda Mwananchi Tour” scheduled for today Sunday at 11am in Kitengela town.
The post lists prominent opposition figures, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Osostsi and Babu Owino, among the attendees.
Former Trade CS Moses Kuria explained the removal as strategic, saying it paves the way for drawing lines ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The referee has called teams from the dressing room to the pitch,” he said.
“Let everyone, including Sifuna and company, pick their jerseys from the two options available: Broad-based or Opposition. It’s normal, healthy and inevitable.”
Some leaders believe that Sifuna could have wrecked the party from within, having declared his allegiance to the United Opposition’s clarion call of ‘Wantam’, and that the removal was long overdue.
“He left ODM for Gachagua long ago and just remained to wreck the party from within,” Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma said.
“By contradicting agreed party positions resolved upon with his active involvement and participation, this has been a case of indiscipline, not exercise of democracy. Good riddance!”
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