In courts: Sifuna to know his fate today over ODM SG row

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) is set to give its final verdict against a decision by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the party’s secretary general.

The tribunal had earlier issued interim orders temporarily halting the implementation of ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolution of February 11, 2026, which sought to remove Sifuna from the party’s position.

Acting PPDT chairperson Gad Gathu certified the application as urgent and stayed the implementation of the resolution pending the hearing and determination of the case.

In the ruling, the tribunal restrained both ODM and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties from publishing the removal decision in the Kenya Gazette.

Sifuna had moved to the tribunal seeking urgent relief, arguing that the decision to remove him was made without giving him a fair hearing.

He asked the tribunal to suspend the NEC resolution and bar its publication in the Kenya Gazette.

According to his application, the NEC’s action threatened his position and political rights, necessitating urgent intervention by the tribunal to prevent the implementation of what he termed an unlawful decision.

However, ODM opposed his case, insisting that Sifuna rushed to court before exhausting the party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (IDRM).

The party argues that the NEC’s decision was part of a constitutionally anchored internal process consistent with its constitution and principles of fair administrative action.

In its submissions, ODM stated that before the NEC could issue a formal notice and trigger structured internal mechanisms as per the party’s constitution, Sifuna moved to the tribunal and obtained conservatory orders, effectively halting a process that was still in its formative stage.

The party argued that the doctrine of exhaustion requires parties to first utilise available internal remedies before approaching the tribunal, and therefore, PPDT lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Today’s decision is expected to determine whether Sifuna remains ODM secretary general.

Rex Masai inquest

On a separate matter, more witnesses are expected to testify when the inquest into the death of Rex Masai resumes before Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsaringo.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, March 25, the court heard that video and photographic evidence presented in the inquest is authentic and shows a man opening fire at protesters during the June 20, 2024, demonstrations in Nairobi.

Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Senior Assistant Director of Forensics Joshua Mutua testified that forensic analysis confirmed the integrity of the photos, videos, and CCTV footage linked to the incident along Mama Ngina Street.

Mutua told the court that the digital evidence, including CCTV footage obtained, had not been altered or interfered with and showed a man, whom he believes is a police officer, charging at a crowd before gunfire was discharged.

Notably, he is expected to present a formal forensic report dated July 15, 2025, which the court heard will formally link the suspect to the scene through forensic analysis of the images and video evidence.