Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has withdrawn his petition to remove Edwin Sifuna from the position of ODM secretary general following consultations with party leader Oburu Oginga. The move provides temporary reprieve for Sifuna amid ongoing internal party conflicts. Luhya MPs have warned of a mass exodus from the party if Sifuna is ousted.
On January 6, 2026, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch issued an official statement through his lawyers, withdrawing the petition he filed the previous day against Edwin Sifuna, the secretary general of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The petition had accused Sifuna of violating the party constitution and the Political Parties Act by associating with rival parties and engaging in gross misconduct. Oketch's legal team stated that the decision followed consultations with party leader Senator Oburu Oginga and the wisdom of the late Raila Odinga in resolving disputes through dialogue. 'Following wide consultations with the Party Leader Senator Dr Oburu Oginga and with utmost respect to the spirit of the founding Party Leader, the late Raila Amollo Odinga, who embraced dialogue even with his fiercest enemies as the most preferred method of dispute resolution, we have received further instructions from our client as hereunder,' the lawyers' letter read in part.
Nevertheless, Oketch's team emphasized that the concerns against Sifuna have not been abandoned and will be addressed within the party's structures under Article 16(1)(g) of the ODM constitution. Sifuna, the Nairobi senator and deputy minority leader in the Senate, has faced criticism from several ODM leaders for his sharp attacks on President William Ruto's government and his ties to an opposition coalition including Uhuru Kenyatta and Rigathi Gachagua.
Luhya community MPs, led by Kabuchai's Majimbo Kalasinga, have warned that removing Sifuna from ODM would lead to a mass exit of leaders from Western Kenya. 'Touch Sifuna today, and any Luhya leader who chooses to remain in ODM will be a traitor,' Kalasinga cautioned while addressing journalists. He said Sifuna represents youth and marginalized communities, and such moves could cost the party its traditional strongholds.
These tensions follow Raila Odinga's death on October 15, 2025, and have split ODM into factions supporting Ruto's re-election and those opposing it. Five ODM MPs, including Dr Otiende Amollo and Millie Odhiambo, have urged Oburu to convene committee meetings to resolve the rift and restore unity. 'We are saddened by the image that has emerged within our party in recent days,' Amollo said in their statement.