According to Kenyan newspapers, President William Ruto is said to have played a behind-the-scenes role in the events that culminated in Sifuna’s ouster, a move that has plunged the opposition party into a deep internal crisis.
The developments came despite a court granting Sifuna temporary relief, blocking the immediate gazettement of his removal.
The Standard reported that the plan to eject Edwin Sifuna was sealed during a late-night meeting held at State House, where Ruto allegedly met ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga and senior party figure Oburu Odinga.
The meeting reportedly focused on organising a National Executive Committee (NEC) session that would push through Sifuna’s removal.
ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi claimed that some party officials had earlier agreed the NEC meeting should be postponed, but that position changed after Oburu allegedly consulted Ruto.
The NEC later voted in favour of removing Sifuna, a decision that immediately sparked backlash within the party.
Even more controversial were claims surrounding a separate meeting involving about 3,000 Coast region delegates convened to endorse the NEC resolutions.
Reports indicate that each delegate allegedly received KSh 5,000 a payout that translates to approximately KSh 15 million.
Crucially, the money was said not to have come from ODM’s official coffers, raising fresh questions about external influence.
Sifuna has maintained that he remains the legitimate ODM Secretary General and has signalled his intention to challenge the decision in court.
As the standoff continues, analysts warn that the crisis could weaken ODM’s unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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