Kaiti Member of Parliament Joshua Kimilu has dismissed attempts to remove Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), terming the move undemocratic and unconstitutional.
Kimilu challenged party leaders pushing for Sifuna’s removal to convene a properly constituted meeting of members to elect officials democratically instead of making unilateral decisions. He said wananchi would not accept what he described as an irregular attempt to push the Secretary General out of office.
Speaking at Kyambeke market in Kilungu Sub-county on Thursday during the issuance of bursary forms for secondary school students in his constituency, Kimilu warned that the move to oust Sifuna amounted to shrinking the democratic space guaranteed under the Constitution.
“We have asked ODM members to remain alert and avoid being divided by outside forces. Such actions are killing the democratic space in the country,” he said.
The legislator maintained that ODM is a national party that must uphold internal democracy and transparency in its leadership processes. He cautioned against what he termed interference from external actors seeking to destabilise the party.
“Those who think they can throw Sifuna out of ODM must stop this act. They cannot just sit in a hotel and decide to remove him. Let them call a meeting of members and elect leaders without intimidation,” Kimilu stated.
He lauded the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal for reinstating Sifuna as Secretary General pending the mention of the case scheduled for February 26, 2026. Following the tribunal’s decision, ODM cannot publish any related resolutions in the Kenya Gazette until the matter is conclusively determined.
Kimilu further said the current political climate calls for greater participation by young leaders, noting that the younger generation represents an unstoppable movement for change in the country.
By Patrick Nyakundi
