The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership contest has taken an unexpected turn because Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi confirmed that Edwin Sifuna remains the party secretary general despite ongoing media reports and party executive developments.
The Wednesday clarification from Mbadi reveals that the previous belief about a complete ouster was incorrect and shows that a legal and procedural battle exists that will determine ODM’s path until the 2027 general election.
Mbadi, who holds a senior position in the ODM party, explained to the press in Nairobi that the National Executive Committee of the party needs to finish the constitutional procedure before they can permanently remove Sifuna from his position.
The National Governing Council must first evaluate the situation before it can proceed to the National Delegates Conference, where Sifuna will continue his role as Secretary General until the council completes its process.
The party members he observed have followed legal standards and the party constitution, according to Mbadi, who explained that NEC action only existed as a recommendation, which did not remove anyone from their positions. The public has misunderstood the ratification process because of conflicting media reports, while he explained that an acting official can perform daily responsibilities during this period.
The clarification occurs amid ongoing disputes between different groups within ODM. The party’s internal governance system has become a public political issue because different factions within the party fight over their preferred strategic approach and their choice of national political partners.
Earlier this week, senior party organs convened in Mombasa and issued resolutions targeting the party’s leadership dynamics, including the position of secretary general—triggering nationwide speculation about Sifuna’s political fate.
Political analysts warn that the battle over Sifuna’s status reflects broader ideological and strategic differences within ODM, and that Mbadi’s insistence on due process could extend the party’s internal disputes.
The National Delegates Convention will take place in late March, and all attention now focuses on whether the party’s governing councils will support or reject the NEC recommendation, which will determine the future of one of Kenya’s oldest political parties.
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