Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna says he will speak to the media this morning following his removal as Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
In a tweet posted on Thursday morning, Sifuna said he had been “overwhelmed by the messages of support and encouragement” from the public since the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to relieve him of his duties on Wednesday.
“I will speak to the press this morning to address some of your concerns. Ahsanteni sana. God bless,” Sifuna wrote.
The announcement comes a day after ODM appointed Deputy Secretary-General Catherine Omanyo to act in the position of Secretary-General until a permanent officeholder is elected.
While he did not delve into specifics, the statement signals an intention to directly respond to questions surrounding the circumstances of his removal and the political implications that may follow.
Sifuna’s removal was confirmed on Wednesday during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Mombasa, where party leaders resolved to relieve him of his duties with immediate effect.
The decision, chaired by ODM party leader Oburu Oginga, cited concerns over “rising levels of indiscipline within the party’s senior leadership” and asserted that the action was taken in accordance with the party’s constitution and applicable laws.
About Sifuna
Sifuna pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Nairobi, graduating in 2006. After obtaining a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law in 2007, he undertook his pupilage at Kairu & McCourt Advocates in Nairobi and was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 2008.
His political career began in 2013 when he joined the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) as a Technical/Advisory Committee Member, serving for three years before taking up a similar role in the National Super Alliance (NASA).
In the 2017 General Election cycle, Sifuna sought the ODM ticket for the Kanduyi Constituency parliamentary seat but was unsuccessful in the party primaries.
Shortly before the 2017 General Election, ODM fronted him as its candidate for the Nairobi senatorial race. He polled 674,056 votes, finishing second.
In February 2018, he was appointed ODM Secretary-General, replacing Ababu Namwamba. A year later, he was elected Vice-Chair of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD).
In the 2022 General Election, Sifuna again contested the Nairobi senatorial seat, securing 716,876 votes to win the position. In February 2023, he assumed the role of Deputy Minority Whip in the Senate.
by TIMON OTIENO
