Migori Senator Oketch wants Sifuna de-whipped, expelled from ODM

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has formally petitioned the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as Secretary General, accusing him of gross misconduct and persistent violations of the party constitution.

In a motion filed through his advocates, Oketch argues that Sifuna has continued to occupy the powerful party office “in blatant and arrogant violation” of ODM’s constitution and the Political Parties Act.

The Migori senator claims that Sifuna is deemed to have effectively resigned from ODM after allegedly promoting the ideology, interests or policies of another political party, an action prohibited under Section 14A (1) (e) of the Political Parties Act.

Oketch further accuses Sifuna of repeatedly flouting the party’s code of conduct, failing to observe internal discipline and disregarding lawful decisions made by ODM’s governing organs.

Central to the complaint are Sifuna’s recent public remarks touching on what Oketch describes as confidential party affairs, including the sourcing and disbursement of ODM funds during the 2022 presidential campaign.

The issue spilled into the public arena after Sifuna traded sharp accusations with Suna East MP Junet Mohamed over the handling of campaign finances during Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful 2022 presidential bid — a bitter fallout that has exposed widening cracks within ODM following Raila’s death in 2025.

“The revelation of such confidential information, which is an internal party matter, greatly jeopardises the party’s image and public standing,” the motion states.

Oketch also faults Sifuna for publicly distancing ODM from the Broad-Based Government arrangement, arguing that the remarks have undermined the party’s official position and frustrated efforts to advance its political objectives.

On the strength of these allegations, the Migori senator has called for Sifuna’s immediate de-whipping from all parliamentary leadership positions and House committees he currently serves in under the ODM banner.

He has further urged the party to begin the process of removing Sifuna’s name from the ODM members’ register and to institute disciplinary proceedings that could ultimately lead to his expulsion if he is found culpable.

The latest move intensifies internal tensions within ODM, with Sifuna’s political conduct increasingly drawing criticism from sections of the party amid growing fears of a split and a potential shake-up of its top leadership.