The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) acting party leader Oburu Odinga on Tuesday morning held talks with party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna as efforts intensified to resolve an internal dispute that had sparked calls for Sifuna’s removal.
The meeting took place at Oburu’s Nairobi office, hours after a petition seeking to de-whip Sifuna—fronted by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch—was withdrawn to allow room for dialogue.
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Confirming the meeting, Oburu said he had engaged Sifuna in constructive discussions, describing him as a calm and principled leader who reflects the democratic values of the party.
“I met my friend Senator Edwin Sifuna, the ODM Secretary General, this morning. He remains a sober and principled voice who embodies the democratic ideals we stand for as a party,” Oburu said.
He stressed the importance of openness and free expression within ODM, noting that differing opinions should not be mistaken for division.
“As leaders, we must allow people to express themselves freely. Divergent views do not amount to disunity. Strong parties like ODM grow through debate and by confronting challenges head-on. That is how progress and continuity are secured, especially through our youth,” he added.
The push to discipline Sifuna was formally dropped, with the complainant opting to pursue internal dispute resolution mechanisms instead of punitive action.
In a letter from Aguko, Osman & Company Advocates on behalf of Senator Oketch, the law firm said its client had withdrawn the motion dated January 5, 2026, following consultations with ODM leadership.
The decision, the letter said, was reached after talks with party leader Oburu Oginga and in line with the principles championed by the late Raila Odinga, the party’s founder, who consistently advocated dialogue as the best way to address internal disagreements.
While acknowledging concerns raised over Sifuna’s remarks, the complainant said he had been persuaded to abandon the disciplinary motion in favour of dialogue.
Instead, Senator Oketch invoked Article 16(1)(g) of the ODM constitution, which empowers the party leader to mediate and resolve disputes through alternative dispute resolution.
The provision allows the party leadership to intervene and settle internal conflicts amicably, avoiding actions that could further strain party unity.
“The party leader is therefore urged to exercise these powers to safeguard the party and its members who felt aggrieved by the remarks that prompted the complaint,” the letter stated.
The initial motion had accused Sifuna of breaching party discipline and making statements viewed as offensive to the party and its members, prompting calls for sanctions, including possible de-whipping or expulsion.
However, Sifuna has dismissed what he termed attempts at intimidation, insisting that his critics have no authority to discipline or remove him from ODM.
“You do not intimidate me. I want to assure Gachagua that no one has the power to kick me out of ODM. You can relax,” Sifuna said while speaking at the burial of Alice Wangari Gakuya, the mother of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, in Kigumo, Murang’a County.
Addressing the wider controversy, Sifuna sharply criticised his opponents and reopened debate over the handling of campaign funds during the 2022 General Election, as well as ODM’s direction after the polls.
He claimed that much of ODM’s campaign financing came from former President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed of mismanaging resources that could have strengthened Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign.
