Why Sifuna’s fate as secretary general of ODM appears sealed

The political future of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as ODM secretary general now hangs in the balance after the party formally initiated internal disciplinary proceedings that could culminate in his removal from the post.

ODM on Thursday issued Sifuna with a show cause letter, marking the start of a structured process to determine his suitability to continue serving as secretary general.

But University don Prof Gitile Naituli has advised the senator to snub the impending disciplinary hearing, arguing the process is unlikely to deliver a fair outcome.

Speaking amid escalating tensions within the party, Naituli said Sifuna has no chance before the disciplinary committee, claiming the process appears predetermined and largely procedural following the issuance of the show cause letter.

He cautioned that appearing before the committee could lend legitimacy to what he termed a settled political decision.

“I don’t even think Sifuna should attend that disciplinary committee session, he has outgrown that position. He is now beyond secretary general of a party,” Naituli told the Star.

“Sifuna has zero chance before the panel. They have reached the level irreconcilable differences with the Linda Ground led by Oburu Oginga.”

The show cause letter is in line with directions from the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal, which ordered the party to resolve the dispute through its internal mechanisms.

In the letter signed by ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga, the party accuses Sifuna of undermining its collective authority through public statements, non-attendance of key meetings and participation in parallel political initiatives allegedly inconsistent with official party programmes.

“You are hereby required to show cause, in writing, within four days from the date hereof, and in any event not later than close of business on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against you,” the letter reads.

Earlier, Sifuna had called for arbitration which the party declined insisting on the disciplinary route.

“Accordingly, we are unable to cede to your client's request for arbitration under Article 88 of the party constitution which, in any event, would only be applicable after an IDRM process under Article 74 (2) and (3) of the Party's constitution,” Wanga told Sifuna in response to his request.

The party further directs Sifuna to appear before a disciplinary panel constituted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM) on Friday, April 10, at 10am at a venue to be communicated later.

“Upon receipt and consideration of your response, you are required to appear before a duly constituted panel appointed by the NEC for hearing and determination of this matter,” the letter adds.

The ODM leadership warned that failure to respond within the stipulated timeframe would lead to further action being taken without additional consultation.

“Take further notice that should you fail to respond within the stipulated period, the party shall proceed to determine the matter in accordance with the ODM party constitution and take such action as it deems appropriate,” the letter states.

Observers are, however, seeing the process as a mere formality with the disciplinary committee chaired by former Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga set to ratify the ouster regardless of the weight of the grounds presented in his defence.

Professor Makau Mutua, a long term ally of former ODM boss Raila Odinga (deceased), say the outcome of the disciplinary panel is a foregone conclusion.

“The embattled ODM party secretary general Sifuna is a dead man walking,” Makau said in reference to the ODM move to institute disciplinary action against the Nairobi senator.

Sifuna has been at loggerheads with sections of the party leadership, a fallout that has played out both internally and in public.

His removal, if confirmed, would mark a significant shift within ODM’s top leadership ranks at a time when the party is grappling with internal realignments and succession politics.

Some ODM stalwarts are, however, raising concerns with the eight grounds the party has cited in the dispute terming them weak.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai on Friday faulted ODM for what he termed as weak and unconvincing grounds in its case against Nairobi Senator.

The vocal MCA argued that the charges outlined in the party’s disciplinary process lack substance, raising questions about the credibility of the push to remove Sifuna as secretary general.

“I think that the charges are so shallow that Sifuna will just walk free from these,” Alai said.

In the show cause letter, the party accused Sifuna of amongst others participating in the “Linda Mwananchi Initiative,” which ODM claims involved engagement with external political actors in a manner not sanctioned by its Central Committee.

According to the letter, the initiative “undermined party strategy, unity, and cohesion.”

Additionally, ODM faults Sifuna for failing to attend several critical meetings, including the Central Committee sitting of January 12, 2026, as well as NEC meetings held on February 11 and March 4, 2026.

The party says his absence from such forums amounted to disregard of lawful decisions of party organs.