Ruth Odinga calls for mediation in Edwin Sifuna’s ouster from ODM
Kisumu County Women Representative Ruth Odinga has called for mediation and adherence to internal party processes following the removal of Edwin Sifuna from his position as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Ruth Odinga emphasised that while Sifuna has been vocal in expressing his views, he is entitled to a fair hearing under the party’s constitution and disciplinary framework.
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She noted that, if there were concerns regarding discipline, the appropriate structures, including arbitration and mediation, should have been engaged to allow him an opportunity to respond.
“Edwin Sifuna has been speaking his mind and has his right, and if there was any issue about discipline, he should have also been given the right to reply. Even in Shakahola, the accused people were also given a chance to speak,” she stated.
Furthermore, Ruth Odinga noted that ODM is a structured party with established systems for handling internal disputes.
“This is a party with structures; we have the disciplinary system, arbitration, and mediation, and that is where I am coming from: that we need to sit down and go through our processes of mediation.”
The ouster
This comes a week after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was replaced by Catherine Omanyo as the ODM party’s Secretary-General.
In a statement on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the ODM Party said the decision was reached after a meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Mombasa.
“The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) held its meeting in Mombasa on 11th February 2026 to deliberate on critical party matters and the prevailing political environment,” part of the ODM Party statement reads.
According to the statement, the meeting involved extensive consultations and deliberations on internal party affairs, leadership conduct, and the party’s overall direction.
The NEC emphasised that its decisions were anchored on the party constitution and established governance structures.
“The NEC expressed grave concern over the rising levels of indiscipline within the Party, particularly at the senior leadership level,” the statement reads. It further notes that “ODM is governed by its Constitution, the rule of law, and collective decision-making through its duly constituted organs.”
“Having deliberated on matters relating to the conduct of the Secretary General, Sen. Edwin Sifuna, the NEC resolved to remove him from office with immediate effect in accordance with the Party Constitution and applicable laws,” read the statement.
