The tribunal ruled that the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms had not been fully used before the attempt to oust Sifuna. The ruling requires both Sifuna and ODM to first resolve the matter through these internal channels.
As a result, Sifuna remains the official Secretary General of ODM until the party’s internal processes are completed and a final decision is made.
The tribunal also directed that the attempted removal should not be reported to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties while the dispute is being handled internally.
The decision comes after submissions were made to the tribunal on March 12, and it was delivered just a day before the party’s planned national delegates convention (NDC).
Sifuna had argued that proper procedures were not followed in replacing him with Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, who had taken over in an acting capacity.
The ruling clarifies that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to decide on the final removal, leaving the matter for the party’s internal mechanisms. This has intensified tension within ODM ahead of the NDC scheduled for March 27 at Jamuhuri Grounds.
The acting party leadership had announced the convention would focus on ratifying resolutions regarding party leadership and reviewing Article 87 of the party constitution. However, Sifuna’s faction announced plans to hold a parallel convention at a separate location.
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