By James Murimi - Reporter
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Kenya, June 18, 2026 - A simmering power struggle within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) escalated on Thursday after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) cleared the way for the party to proceed with disciplinary proceedings against Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
The ruling handed ODM a significant legal victory in a dispute that has exposed growing tensions within Kenya's largest opposition party and reignited debate over internal democracy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued after the judgment, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong'wen said the tribunal had dismissed an application by Senator Sifuna and reaffirmed the party's constitutional right to manage its internal affairs through its established dispute resolution structures.
"Today's judgment is a significant reaffirmation of the doctrine of exhaustion, which requires parties to first exhaust available internal dispute resolution mechanisms before seeking the intervention of external adjudicative bodies," Ong'wen said.
The dispute traces its roots to February this year when the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) initiated a process seeking Sifuna's removal as Secretary General.
The Nairobi Senator swiftly moved to the tribunal and secured interim orders blocking the party from commencing proceedings aimed at removing him from office.
However, in a ruling delivered in March, the tribunal directed both parties to submit themselves to ODM's Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM), including disciplinary processes provided for under the party constitution.
According to Ong'wen, before the internal process could be concluded, Sifuna returned to the tribunal seeking fresh orders to halt the same disciplinary proceedings.
The Executive Director said the tribunal had subsequently clarified that ODM was free to hear and determine the disciplinary case but could not communicate or implement any decision until the matter before the court was concluded.
"This afternoon, the Tribunal dismissed Senator Sifuna's application, reaffirming the principle that internal party processes should be allowed to run their course without undue interference," Ong'wen said.
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"Consequently, the Tribunal directed the Party to proceed with and conclude any disciplinary proceedings lawfully initiated against the Senator."
The tribunal also vacated all interim orders previously obtained by Sifuna, effectively removing legal barriers that had stalled the process for months.
The ruling is expected to intensify political intrigue within ODM as the party navigates delicate internal realignments amid shifting alliances in the country's political landscape.
Political observers say the outcome could have far-reaching implications for party discipline and leadership authority at a time when ODM is seeking to consolidate its structures ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Ong'wen argued that the judgment underscored the importance of respecting political parties' autonomy and their statutory mandate to manage internal affairs without unnecessary external intervention.
"The decision underscores the importance of respecting and allowing political parties to exercise their constitutionally and statutorily recognized mandate to manage their internal affairs in accordance with their constitutions and governing rules," he said.
The latest development now sets the stage for a potentially explosive showdown within ODM, with the spotlight firmly on the fate of one of the party's most prominent national officials.
As the battle moves back to ODM's internal structures, attention will shift to whether the disciplinary process ends in reconciliation or deepens divisions within a party that remains central to Kenya's opposition politics.