PPDT Extends Conservatory Orders Blocking Edwin Sifuna's Removal as ODM Secretary General Until March 12
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has extended interim conservatory orders that prevent the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) from removing Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as party Secretary General.
The extension, granted on Thursday, February 26, 2026, maintains the status quo pending further proceedings and directs all parties involved to file and highlight their submissions by March 12, 2026.
The dispute traces back to a February 11, 2026, meeting of ODM's National Executive Committee (NEC) in Mombasa, chaired by party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga. The NEC resolved to oust Sifuna, citing disciplinary concerns within senior leadership, and appointed Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, the Deputy Secretary General, as acting Secretary General pending a substantive election. Sifuna challenged the decision the next day at the PPDT, securing initial orders halting the removal and barring publication of the resolution in the Kenya Gazette—a key step for formalizing it.
ODM, represented by Makori & Karimi Advocates, raised a preliminary objection during recent hearings, seeking to strike out Sifuna's complaint on grounds that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction. The party argued that under Section 40(2) of the Political Parties Act, internal party governance disputes must first exhaust the party's Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (IDRM) before approaching the PPDT. They claimed Sifuna failed to demonstrate exhaustion of these channels or exceptional circumstances justifying bypass. Sifuna sued ODM and the Registrar of Political Parties, maintaining the ouster was irregular and politically motivated.
The tribunal's extension provides temporary relief to Sifuna, preserving his role amid ongoing internal ODM tensions and broader political debates. The matter remains sub judice, with the next key date set for March 12, when parties will present detailed arguments, potentially leading to a ruling on the preliminary objection or the substantive case.
