Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has filed a petition to oust Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), de-whip him, and remove him from all parliamentary committees.
In the letter dated Monday, January 5, seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Oketch accuses Sifuna of gross misconduct, indiscipline, and sabotaging the party.
The petition filed with the ODM party leader, Oburu Odinga, and copied to the party secretariat, alleges that Sifuna has repeatedly violated the party constitution and the Political Parties Act.
Oketch accused Sifuna of “blatant and arrogant violation” of party rules by closely associating with rival political parties while presenting himself as ODM’s Secretary General and spokesperson.
According to Oketch, such conduct amounts to promoting the ideology and interests of another party, an action that “shall be deemed to have resigned” under the Political Parties Act.
He further accused Sifuna of openly defying ODM’s decision to work within the broad-based government, despite the existence of a written agreement endorsed by the party.
“This is a clear breach” of party rules requiring members to observe discipline and obey lawful decisions of party organs, the letter stated.
The motion also claimed that Sifuna unlawfully usurped the powers of the party leader by purporting to negotiate political coalitions, a role reserved exclusively for the ODM leader under the party constitution.
In addition, Oketch, in his petition, accused him of making public remarks on confidential party affairs, including funding of the 2022 presidential campaign.
He claimed that the disclosure of such information “greatly jeopardizes the Party’s image and public standing” and amounts to deliberate sabotage.
As a result, Oketch wants ODM to immediately suspend Sifuna from performing the duties of Secretary General. “Senator Edwin W. Sifuna be immediately suspended from discharging his duties or carrying himself as the Secretary General of the Party,” asks Senator Oketch.
Adding, “Hon Senator Edwin W. Sifuna be forthwith de-whipped and/or recalled by the party from all parliamentary leadership positions and committees that he is serving in, having been enabled as such by his membership in the Orange Democratic Movement Party, whose ideologies he no longer subscribes to.”
Alternatively, the Migori legislator has asked the party to either deem Sifuna resigned or commence disciplinary proceedings that could lead to his expulsion.
On Monday, ODM party Communications Director Philip Etale told Kenyans.co.ke there was no plan to oust Sifuna. This was in response to claims from Nandi Senator Samson Cherarkey, who claimed he was dethroned as both the Senate's Deputy Minority Whip and the ODM Secretary General this week.
