The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has expressed his delight over the removal of Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Speaking on Citizen TV on the evening of February 11, 2026, shortly after ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decided to relieve Sifuna of his duties, Mbadi said he was “very excited” and described Sifuna’s actions within the party as troubling.
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Mbadi linked the decision to safeguarding the legacy of the late party leader, Raila Odinga. “I am very excited… I have been so depressed seeing what he was doing for ODM,” he said.
He added, “Raila devoted his life to ODM, and it cannot be that his party falls apart so soon after his death. If you claim to respect Raila but work to destroy his party months after he passed, it is not fair to his legacy. Sometimes you must swallow your pride for the sake of the party. I am very excited…”
Mbadi’s remarks came amid ongoing internal divisions in ODM following Raila’s death on October 15, 2025, in India, from cardiac arrest. Raila was laid to rest on October 19, 2025, after a state funeral in Nairobi and burial in Bondo, Siaya County.
A former ODM national chairperson and advocate for cooperation with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government, Mbadi had previously called for Sifuna’s removal, accusing him of factionalism, indiscipline, and pushing agendas contrary to party resolutions.
During the interview, Mbadi noted that the NEC’s recommendation led to Sifuna’s immediate relief from office and the appointment of Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo (Busia Woman Representative) as acting SG. The decision will still require ratification by the National Governing Council and the election of a substantive replacement at a National Delegates Conference.
The NEC’s February 11 resolution, issued in Mombasa, cited concerns over Sifuna’s conduct, including his alleged failure to maintain party discipline. Sifuna, Nairobi Senator, has openly criticized certain aspects of ODM’s collaboration with the government, which some factions consider a departure from Raila’s opposition legacy. He was absent from the Mombasa NEC meeting.
Following his removal, Sifuna posted on X that he would address the media the following morning. He expressed gratitude for public support, saying he had been “overwhelmed by the messages of encouragement” since the NEC decision. “I will speak to the press this morning to address some of your concerns. Ahsanteni sana. God bless,” he wrote.
