A late-night meeting at State House has emerged as the turning point that sealed the political fate of Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), plunging the opposition party into one of its most serious internal crises in recent years.
Kenyan newspapers reported that President William Ruto played a direct behind-the-scenes role in the process that led to Sifuna’s removal, despite ODM being an opposition party.
The reports indicate that the decisive move was made on the night of Monday, February 9, when Ruto held a closed-door meeting with ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga and senior party figure Oburu Odinga.
According to ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, the plan to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to discuss Sifuna’s fate had initially stalled.
Osotsi revealed that a meeting held earlier at the Nairobi home of ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire resolved that the NEC session should be postponed.
“Oburu told us he needed to consult further, which did not happen. He went ahead to consult Ruto at State House that night, when they agreed to proceed with the NEC meeting,” Osotsi said.
Following the State House meeting, the NEC convened and voted to remove Sifuna as secretary general, a decision that immediately sparked outrage within sections of the party.
Critics accused the party leadership of surrendering ODM’s independence to external influence, while supporters of the move argued it was necessary to restore discipline within the party.
The fallout has since escalated, with Sifuna obtaining temporary court orders blocking the gazettement of his ouster.
As legal and political battles loom, analysts warn that the controversy could deepen divisions within ODM and weaken its standing ahead of the 2027 General Election.