By Jeff Kizzilah
A dramatic twist has emerged in the ongoing leadership wrangles within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after the Registrar of Political Parties moved to halt the implementation of the party’s decision to oust Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
The intervention by the Registrar comes days after the ODM National Executive Committee (NEC), led by Oburu Odinga, announced Sifuna’s removal from office in a move that sparked intense internal debate and widened cracks within the party.In a communication addressed to the party, the Registrar indicated that the changes affecting the Office of the Secretary General cannot take effect pending review and compliance with the Political Parties Act and the party’s own constitution.
The decision effectively grants Sifuna a temporary reprieve, allowing him to remain in office as the matter undergoes procedural scrutiny.
Sifuna welcomed the Registrar’s move, terming it a victory for due process and internal democracy.
“The law is clear. Political parties must follow their constitutions and national statutes. We respect institutions and will continue to defend the integrity of ODM,” he said.Sources within Sifuna’s camp argue that the initial ouster lacked procedural legitimacy and failed to meet the required thresholds under both party rules and national law.
However, allies of the Oburu-led NEC maintain that their decision was lawful and necessary to restore discipline within the party, signaling that the matter may escalate into a broader legal and political contest.
The Registrar’s intervention now shifts the battle from internal party corridors to regulatory oversight, raising fresh questions about governance, compliance, and the future direction of ODM.
As tensions simmer, political observers note that how ODM resolves this dispute could significantly shape its unity and positioning ahead of future political alignments.
