• The decision comes at a delicate moment for the party, still navigating an uncertain transition following the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been thrust into fresh turmoil after its National Executive Committee in Mombasa removed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General on February 11, 2026, a move long anticipated by political observers but no less seismic in its impact.

The decision comes at a delicate moment for the party, still navigating an uncertain transition following the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga.

For many within Kenya’s opposition ranks, Sifuna’s ouster is more than a personnel change. It signals deeper power realignments inside a party searching for direction in a post‑Raila era.

Sifuna’s Role in ODM

For over two decades, ODM built its brand as a combative opposition force, relying on forceful communicators to defend its positions and shape public discourse. Few embodied that role more visibly than Edwin Sifuna.

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Articulate, informed, and unwavering, he became one of the party’s most recognizable public faces, frequently appearing on national television to counter rivals and articulate ODM’s policies.

Raila himself publicly affirmed that Sifuna spoke for the party, an endorsement that cemented his authority within ODM’s ranks and encouraged diverse political views inside the movement.

His removal now raises difficult questions. Is ODM recalibrating its strategy—or fracturing under internal pressure?

Critics warn that sidelining a figure who resonated strongly with urban and younger voters risks weakening the party’s modern, reformist appeal.

Supporters of the move counter that leadership transitions are inevitable and necessary, especially in times of change.

What is clear is that narrative control will be crucial. In a political climate already charged ahead of the 2027 elections, perceptions of instability could erode public confidence.

Whether this marks renewal or rupture may well determine ODM’s ability to remain a formidable force in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.

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