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Tribunal to decide Sifuna ODM removal on March 26

NationalNotices

Author: Waithanji Kaberi

March 12, 2026

2 min.read

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) will deliver its ruling on March 26, 2026, in a case filed by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna challenging his removal as Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The dispute arose after ODM’s National Executive Council (NEC) resolved earlier this year to remove Sifuna from the influential party position, citing alleged misconduct and violation of internal party rules.

However, Sifuna moved to the tribunal to challenge the decision, arguing that the NEC acted outside the framework of the party constitution and ignored due legal procedures outlined in the Political Parties Act.

Through his lawyers, the senator maintained that the process that led to his removal lacked transparency and fairness. His legal team told the tribunal that the decision to eject him from office was reached without giving him a proper opportunity to defend himself.

“The decision to remove the claimant from office was reached without adherence to the party constitution and without affording him a fair hearing,” Sifuna’s lawyers submitted during the tribunal proceedings.

They further argued that such actions undermine democratic governance within political parties and violate the legal safeguards meant to guide party leadership transitions.

On the other hand, ODM’s legal team urged the tribunal to dismiss the case, arguing that Sifuna approached the tribunal prematurely.

According to the party’s lawyers, Sifuna failed to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before seeking intervention from the external adjudicating body.

“The claimant bypassed the internal party processes provided for under the party constitution. The tribunal should therefore decline jurisdiction at this stage,” the ODM legal team argued.

Earlier during the proceedings, the tribunal issued temporary orders suspending the implementation of the NEC’s decision. The conservatory orders prevented the party from formalising Sifuna’s removal while the dispute remains under determination.

The tribunal also barred the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) from gazetting any changes to the Secretary-General position pending the final decision.

As a result of the interim orders, Sifuna has continued to serve as ODM Secretary-General while the tribunal examines whether the NEC acted within its mandate and followed the required legal procedures.

The tribunal indicated that its final ruling will address key questions surrounding the legality of the NEC’s decision and whether the party adhered to due process before attempting to remove its Secretary-General.

With hearings now concluded, attention has turned to the March 26 ruling, which is expected to determine the next chapter in the leadership dispute within ODM.

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