NAIROBI, Kenya — East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has publicly criticised the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as ODM Secretary-General, accusing sections of the party’s leadership of sidelining members and violating the party constitution.
In a social media statement on Thursday, Winnie described the decision as a betrayal of ODM’s founding values following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
She framed the dispute as a struggle over the party’s identity and democratic foundations rather than a personal contest.
Quoting German theologian Martin Niemöller, she warned against silence in the face of perceived injustice: “First they came for the socialists… Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.”
“I’ve said this over and over again, ODM is not an SPV,” she wrote, arguing that the party must remain accountable to its grassroots membership.
She recalled moments from her late father, Raila’s leadership, including the controversial swearing-in episode, to illustrate what she termed his responsiveness to party members.
“He had trepidations; he did not want any more harm done to his people, but the people told him that they wanted his swearing in. He accepted what the people were saying, and he went on that stage because he was prepared to die for his people,” she said.
Winnie questioned whether current leaders understood the sacrifices made by ODM supporters.
“If you didn’t put your life on the line for the people when they risked their own lives, then you are not fit to speak on behalf of the people of ODM,” she stated.
Her remarks came a day after a section of ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC), meeting in Mombasa on February 11, 2026, removed Sifuna from his position and appointed Catherine Omanyo as acting Secretary-General.
The NEC also ousted Deputy Organising Secretary Caleb Amisi and announced the party’s exit from the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Sifuna dismissed the move as unconstitutional and unprocedural. “Let me state without fear of contradiction that this action is illegal, unprocedural, and a blatant violation of the ODM Constitution as well as the principles of natural justice,” he said.
“At no time have I been informed of any allegations against me… Neither have I been invited to any hearing.”
He linked his removal to his opposition to President William Ruto’s re-election bid and vowed to challenge the decision in court.
“We will challenge every illegality in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. Surrender is not an option,” he said.
Several leaders allied to Sifuna, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, criticised the Mombasa meeting.
Osotsi described the events as a “hostile takeover,” while Owino termed it a “kangaroo meeting.”
Winnie has consistently questioned the party’s leadership transition since Raila’s death.
In a January 27 interview, she argued that major decisions, including the installation of Oburu Oginga as party leader, require ratification by the National Delegates Convention (NDC) as stipulated in the ODM Constitution.
“The Constitution of ODM says that no member of the Central Committee or the NEC can act on behalf of the party… unless they’re ratified by the NDC,” she said.
Despite her criticism of the process, she defended Oburu personally, calling him “a wonderful acting party leader in this transition period.”
