Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has formally withdrawn his petition seeking the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as ODM Party Secretary General.
In a letter submitted by his lawyers to the ODM Chairperson on Monday, January 5, Oketch cited consultations with the party’s top leadership and respect for the late Raila Odinga’s legacy of dialogue as the reason for his decision.
“Following wide consultations with the Party Leader Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga and with utmost respect to the spirit of the founding Party Leader the late Raila Amollo Odinga, we have received further instructions from our client to withdraw the motion and pursue dispute resolution through the party’s Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms,” the letter stated.
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The lawyers clarified that while Oketch’s concerns about Sifuna’s conduct remain, he has been persuaded to address them internally via party organs rather than through formal removal proceedings. The letter urged the Party Leader to exercise constitutional powers to protect both the party and members affected by the issues raised.
Originally, Oketch had accused Sifuna of misconduct, indiscipline, and undermining the party’s unity, including breaching the party constitution, associating with rival political parties while claiming to speak for ODM, and publicly distancing himself from the party’s decisions. The petition requested suspension, removal from parliamentary leadership roles, or expulsion from the party.