NAIROBI, Kenya — Tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) escalated Tuesday after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) expelled Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, former counsellor Kipkorir Menjo, and Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma from the powerful decision-making organ.
Deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga are also said to be under scrutiny, as a high-stakes NEC meeting continues behind closed doors.
The developments mark the second NEC sitting since the death of ODM’s long-serving leader, Raila Odinga in October last year. In its inaugural meeting after his demise, the committee controversially appointed Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga as party leader, bypassing the three deputy party leaders and triggering murmurs within the ranks.
While the official agenda of Tuesday’s meeting is to receive a briefing from the Central Management Committee on coalition-building strategies and preparations for the National Delegates Convention, insiders say the gathering carries unmistakable undertones of a leadership shake-up.
At the centre of the storm is Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, whose position appears increasingly precarious. Sources within the party indicate that a quiet push is underway to replace him with Busia Governor Paul Otuoma. Proponents of the change argue that ODM requires a secretary general who can work “seamlessly” with party leader Oburu Oginga as the party recalibrates its political strategy.
Signs of a potential purge have already emerged. Some of Sifuna’s perceived allies have reportedly been removed from the NEC WhatsApp communication platform and were not invited to the ongoing meeting in Mombasa. A NEC member, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to address the media, said the developments point to possible disciplinary or structural changes.
“That is possible because some of his people have been removed from the NEC group and they have not been invited for the Mombasa meeting,” the source said.
Pressure on Sifuna intensified days after National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi publicly called for his suspension, accusing him of advancing positions that contradict the party’s official stance.
“Someone like Sifuna will not remain in ODM because already he is conflicted. He is now selling the agenda of someone else. Why are you pretending? You cannot keep him in the party,” Mbadi said.
Sifuna could not be reached for comment.
The NEC is also expected to confront dissenting voices opposed to ODM’s decision to collaborate with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a move that has divided opinion within the party’s grassroots and parliamentary ranks.
However, the ODM Party Constitution outlines a structured disciplinary process. Any complaint against a member must first be filed before the Disciplinary Committee, which investigates and makes recommendations to the NEC.
The committee then has the authority to impose penalties, including expulsion. As of Tuesday, there were no public indications that a formal complaint had been lodged against Sifuna under this framework.
