Inside ODM: CS John Mbadi Reveals the Real Reason Why Sifuna Was Removed

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has explained the reasons behind the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) decision to push for the removal of Edwin Sifuna from his position as the party’s Secretary General.

Speaking during Citizen TV’s JKLive programme on Wednesday night, Mbadi said the move was not driven by personal disagreements but by the need for party leaders to respect and communicate official party decisions.

According to Mbadi, the role of a Secretary General is to articulate the party’s collective position, not personal opinions that contradict resolutions made by the party leadership.

“When you serve as the spokesperson of a political party, you are expected to communicate what the party has agreed on, not your individual views,” Mbadi said. “If you have a different opinion, you express it internally during meetings, not publicly.”

He further explained that once decisions are reached by key organs such as the Central Committee or the National Executive Committee (NEC), all party officials are bound to uphold them.

“If someone feels unable to defend or communicate the party’s position, the most honourable option is to step aside from that role,” he added.

Mbadi, who previously served as ODM chairperson for over a decade, maintained that the party followed its constitution and legal procedures in handling the matter. He clarified that Sifuna had not been outrightly dismissed but was recommended for removal pending further approval.

“The NEC has only made a recommendation. The process will move to the National Governing Council and later the National Delegates Council for ratification,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary also warned that the party could take similar action against other senior members if their conduct undermines party unity. He mentioned leaders such as Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino in this context.

Mbadi argued that Sifuna’s recent political direction made it difficult for him to continue serving effectively in a senior party position.

“History shows that party officials who take such a path rarely remain in their political parties. Expecting otherwise would have been unrealistic,” he said.

ODM’s decision followed an NEC meeting held in Mombasa, chaired by party leader Dr Oburu Oginga. The committee cited concerns over discipline within the party’s top leadership as the basis for its resolution.

Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, who is also ODM’s Deputy Secretary General, was appointed as the acting Secretary General until a substantive office holder is chosen.

During the same meeting, the NEC adopted resolutions from the Central Committee, including authorising Oburu to lead negotiations on ODM’s pre-election coalition strategy with other political parties.

The party also resolved to begin the formal process of exiting the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, citing repeated violations of the coalition agreement by some partners.

ODM said the decisions are part of a broader effort to protect the party’s independence, strengthen internal unity, and reposition itself strategically ahead of future political alliances and negotiations.