NAIROBI, Kenya– The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has formally recognised the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General, concluding that the process complied with both the Political Parties Act and the party’s constitution.
In a letter signed by Registrar of Political Parties and Chief Executive Officer J.C. Lorionokou, the ORPP said it reached the decision after reviewing documents submitted by ODM and noting that Sifuna had not responded to the issues raised before the office.
The Registrar said it also considered correspondence regarding the powers of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to establish committees and determine their terms of reference before making its determination.
“Upon review of the documents submitted by the party and the lack of response from Hon. Edwin Watenya Sifuna, we note that the removal of the party Secretary-General was in line with the Political Parties Act, Cap. 7D, and the ODM party constitution,” the Registrar stated.
Following the review, the ORPP updated ODM’s official records to reflect the party’s current leadership, effectively recognising the NEC’s decision for purposes of the official register.
The Registrar said the changes were effected after establishing that the process met the legal requirements set out under the Political Parties Act and ODM’s constitution.
However, Sifuna has challenged the decision through his legal team, arguing that the Registrar acted prematurely by effecting the leadership changes while the dispute remains unresolved.
In a letter to the Registrar, Senior Counsel Isaac Okero described the decision as procedurally irregular and maintained that the changes should not have been entered into the official register.
“Our client considers this action to be procedurally improper. Effecting changes to the party records violates the Political Parties Act, and our client will not hesitate to pursue the appropriate legal remedies,” Okero stated.
The dispute is now before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, which has scheduled Sifuna’s application for hearing on July 21, 2026.
The Tribunal is expected to determine whether the disciplinary proceedings that culminated in Sifuna’s removal complied with the ODM Constitution, the Political Parties Act and the applicable legal procedures.
The ORPP’s recognition of the leadership changes does not conclude the dispute, as the Tribunal’s decision could determine the legality of the process and the validity of the party’s actions.