Migori Senator Eddy Oketch Withdraws Bid to Remove Sifuna as ODM Secretary General

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has withdrawn his petition seeking the removal of Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), easing immediate pressure on the party’s leadership.

In a letter sent through his lawyers to the ODM chairperson, Oketch said the decision followed consultations with senior party officials, including ODM Party Leader Senator Oburu Oginga. He said that the withdrawal was intended to allow the matter to be handled through internal party processes rather than a formal removal motion.

The letter made clear that the concerns raised against Sifuna had not been abandoned. Instead, Oketch said they would be pursued under Article 16(1)(g) of the ODM constitution, which provides for internal dispute resolution. The communication also referenced the late Raila Odinga’s long-standing preference for dialogue and consensus in resolving political disagreements.

Oketch had accused Sifuna of misconduct and indiscipline, alleging that the Nairobi Senator breached party rules and associated with rival political groups while serving as ODM’s Secretary General and chief spokesperson. The petition claimed violations of both the ODM constitution and the Political Parties Act, and those allegations remain formally on record.

The withdrawal comes amid heightened internal tensions within ODM. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei had recently suggested that Sifuna was likely to lose both his Senate leadership position and his role in the party secretariat. Separately, public disagreements between Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed had prompted calls for intervention by senior party leaders.

ODM officials have, however, moved to downplay the possibility of Sifuna’s removal. The party’s Director of Communication, Philip Etale, told journalists that there were no plans to force him out of office. Support has also come from Members of Parliament from the Luhya community, who have warned against any attempt to sideline the Secretary General.

Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga said removing Sifuna would alienate the Luhya community and risk driving leaders from Western Kenya out of ODM. He accused unnamed party figures of targeting Sifuna over his public positions on governance and national issues, describing him as an important voice for the party and for younger and marginalised groups.

Kalasinga said Sifuna had remained loyal to the responsibilities given to him by Raila Odinga and had acted within his mandate as ODM’s principal spokesperson. He added that leaders from different political affiliations were prepared to support Sifuna if his position came under threat.