Ababu Namwamba Insists He Resigned as ODM SG, Not Fired, Following Sifuna’s Ouster
‘I Walked Away with My Pride Intact’ – Ababu Namwamba Revisits 2016 ODM Exit
Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Ababu Namwamba, has clarified that he was not dismissed from his role as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in 2016, maintaining that he chose to step down voluntarily.
Speaking amid fresh leadership changes within the party, Namwamba said his exit nearly a decade ago was driven by principle rather than disciplinary action. He cited persistent internal disagreements within ODM at the time as the reason behind his decision to leave theinfluential administrative post.
According to Namwamba, walking away from the position remains one of the most defining moments of his political career.
He stated that no one forced him out of office, adding that he left with what he described as dignity and a clear conscience after serving the party with dedication.
A founding member of ODM, Namwamba reflected on his role in building the party during its formative and peak years. However, he noted that the party’s current standing is different from what it was during the 2007 General Election and in 2016 when he exited.
He urged party supporters to channel their energy toward rebuilding and strengthening ODM, emphasizing that strong political parties are essential for a functional constitutional democracy.
Namwamba’s remarks come shortly after ODM removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from the position of Secretary General. The decision was reached during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Mombasa on Wednesday.
In a statement, the party said it had deliberated on matters concerning Sifuna’s conduct and resolved to remove him from office with immediate effect, in line with the party constitution and relevant laws.
The NEC also raised concerns about growing indiscipline within the party, particularly among senior leaders, reiterating that ODM operates under its constitution, the rule of law, and collective decision-making structures.
Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, who previously served as one of the Deputy Secretaries General, has been appointed to act in the role pending the election of a substantive officeholder.
Sifuna had been appointed ODM Secretary General in January 2019 during a delegates’ meeting convened by the party under the leadership of Raila Odinga.
Namwamba, who previously served as Budalang’i MP between 2013 and 2017, later stepped down as Labour Party of Kenya (LPK) leader after being appointed Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
His latest comments reopen discussion around ODM’s internal leadership dynamics at a time when the party is once again navigating significant changes at the top.
By Dennis milimo
