Embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has intensified speculation about his political future in ODM after snubbing the party’s disciplinary panel, a move insider say signals a man already charting his path away from the outfit.
Sifuna, who has been at odds with sections of the party leadership, declined to honour summons to respond to allegations of misconduct, instead opting to challenge the process at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
Sifuna has not only failed to respond to the party’s show-cause letter but also failed to appear before the disciplinary panel on Friday as was directed by the party.
He had up to close of business on Wednesday to respond to the show-cause letter issued by national chairperson Gladys Wanga.
His ‘defiance’ has raised eyebrows in ODM ranks, with some leaders interpreting it as a calculated step towards an exit.
Political analyst Prof Gitile Naituli believes Sifuna has outgrown his place in the party and it is a matter of time before he exits the outfit to be his own man.
“Right now Sifuna is bigger than being an SG of ODM. He is one man who carries with him great potential and value to whichever side he will settle in. He is also a potential [presidential] candidate against Ruto,” he told the Star in a phone interview.
In the show-cause letter, the party accused 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.
But despite the looming disciplinary action, the Nairobi senator has continued with his ‘Linda Mwananchi’ engagements across the country, further fuelling perceptions that he is building an independent political base away from the party’s structures.
The Linda Mwananchi team, consisting largely of ODM rebels, will this Sunday pitch camp in Nakuru at a time the party has distanced itself from it.
Other members of the team include Saiya Governor James Orengo, former deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Anthoney Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South) and Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu).
The team will then head to Kisumu for another round of public engagements.
“As the Linda Mwananchi team, we are not afraid. In fact, after Nakuru, our next rally will be in Kisumu,” Sifuna announced.
At the disputes tribunal, the Nairobi senator argues that it was suspect that the Orange party could issue a show-cause letter and at the same time invite him before a disciplinary panel.
This, he noted, confirms that the party has made up its mind and the whole process is predetermined.
“Purporting to issue a notice to me to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against me, while fixing a hearing for determination of disciplinary action against me, thereby demonstrating that disciplinary action is a predetermined outcome and my showing cause is a superfluous, illusory and ineffective process, ” Sifuna said.
He wanted the tribunal to halt the disciplinary process instituted against him until his case against the illegality of his ouster is heard and determined.
But on Thursday, the tribunal, led by acting chairperson Gad Gathu, directed that they cannot stay the party’s internal process, thus allowing ODM to proceed with the disciplinary process.
The tribunal, however, barred the party from reaching any conclusion from the disciplinary process on Friday, until the current application filed by Sifuna is heard and determined.
“To ensure fairness, we will not stay any internal process. We hereby stay any determination until the tribunal delivers a ruling, so we will not stay the process, but we stay the determination of the processes,” Gathu directed.
The ODM leadership had 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.
The disciplinary action stems from a resolution of the NEC meeting held on February 11, which reportedly initiated proceedings for Sifuna’s removal from office on grounds of gross misconduct.
However, the party emphasised that the process remains subject to constitutional safeguards guaranteeing fair hearing.
“Take notice that pursuant to Article 74(2) of the Orange Democratic Movement party constitution, the NEC resolved to initiate proceedings for your removal from office on account of acts amounting to gross misconduct,” the letter notes.
It further adds that Article 74(3) guarantees any affected official the right to be notified of allegations and to be accorded a full and fair opportunity to defend themselves.
Among the specific accusations levelled against the Nairobi senator are his alleged public contradiction of party positions.
The ODM leadership cites his appearance on Citizen TV’s ‘The Explainer’ on or around July 22 last year, where he is said to have declared that the ODM-UDA Memorandum of Understanding was “dead”, a statement the party argues contradicted official resolutions.
“Despite participating in party meetings and publicly conveying party resolutions, you have subsequently issued contradictory statements in various forums, thereby creating confusion and eroding institutional coherence,” the letter further alleges.
The party also accuses Sifuna of participating in the ‘Linda Mwananchi’ Initiative, which ODM claims involved engagement with external political actors in a manner not sanctioned by its Central Committee.
Additionally, ODM faults Sifuna for failing to attend several critical meetings, including the Central Committee sitting of January 12 as well as NEC meetings held on February 11 and March 4.
The party says his absence from such forums amounted to disregard of lawful decisions of party organs.
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