The Orange Democratic Movement has removed three leaders from its National Executive Committee after recent branch election wins.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, Senator Johnes Mwaruma, and Eldoret-based farmer Kipkorir Menjo lost their NEC positions under party rules.
ODM enforced its constitution after the trio secured county and branch chairperson seats in grassroots elections.
Party rules bar any official from holding two internal party offices at the same time.
Why ODM Dropped Them From NEC
ODM officials sent formal letters to each of the three leaders explaining the constitutional restriction.
The party also removed them from the NEC WhatsApp coordination group immediately after the decision.
The letters congratulated each leader for winning their respective county or branch chairperson positions.
They also stated that the new offices automatically ended their NEC membership.
ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen signed the letters dated February 6 and dispatched them individually.
He quoted Article 92 of the ODM constitution to justify the automatic removal.
The constitution states clearly that party officials cannot hold more than one office concurrently.
The rule triggers automatic exit from the previous office once a second office is assumed.
The letter to Amisi confirmed his election as ODM chairperson for Trans Nzoia County.
It then declared that his NEC role ended immediately after assuming the county seat.
Positions Each Leader Previously Held
Caleb Amisi previously served as deputy national organising secretary within the NEC structure.
His new Trans Nzoia chairperson role replaced that national committee position under party law.
Johnes Mwaruma won the ODM chairperson seat for the Taita Taveta branch in the elections.
That victory triggered his removal from the NEC decision-making organ.
Kipkorir Menjo, a long-time ally of Raila Odinga, also lost his NEC-linked role.
He had served as secretary for devolved government before winning the Uasin Gishu branch contest.
Party officials treated all three cases under the same constitutional clause without exception.
ODM applied the rule uniformly to avoid internal disputes over selective enforcement.
The trio received the letters only days before a crucial NEC meeting scheduled for today.
That timing immediately triggered suspicion and political interpretation among party insiders.
Timing Raises Internal Political Tension
Several ODM insiders questioned the timing of the communication despite acknowledging the constitutional requirement.
They argued that earlier notice could have reduced controversy ahead of the high-stakes NEC sitting.
The NEC meeting agenda includes discussion over the position of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
His role has attracted internal disagreement within sections of the party leadership.
Amisi has publicly opposed planned pre-election coalition talks involving ODM and President Ruto’s UDA party.
He belongs to a vocal internal faction that rejects cooperation with the ruling side.
Other outspoken figures share that resistance within senior ODM ranks.
They include Godfrey Osotsi, Ruth Odinga, and Babu Owino in various party roles.
Godfrey Osotsi serves as deputy party leader and holds an NEC position.
Ruth Odinga works as deputy organising secretary within the party structure.
Babu Owino holds the secretary docket for science and technology in ODM.
All three have questioned or resisted rapprochement with UDA ahead of 2027.
Sources inside ODM say Amisi’s removal affects internal voting dynamics inside the NEC.
His absence reduces the number of anti-coalition voices in the committee session.
NEC Meeting Drama in Mombasa
ODM is currently holding the NEC meeting at the Pride Inn hotel in Mombasa.
Delegates and officials arrived amid tight security and visible political tension.
Secretary General Edwin Sifuna had not arrived when the meeting started, according to insiders.
His delayed arrival fueled speculation about planned disciplinary or replacement moves.
Supporters who are not NEC members gathered around the hotel compound during the meeting.
Some insiders fear organized groups could attempt to disrupt proceedings.
Reports indicate that certain actors may have mobilized supporters to confront Sifuna directly.
Party security teams and local authorities increased vigilance around the venue.
Internal reports suggest the NEC may consider replacing Sifuna during or after the session.
Some members reportedly support Busia Governor Paul Otuoma as a possible replacement.
That potential leadership change has intensified factional lobbying inside the party.
Different camps are pushing competing strategies ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Constitutional Rule Versus Political Strategy
ODM’s constitution provides the legal backbone for the NEC removals in these cases.
The single-office rule aims to prevent power concentration and role conflict inside party organs.
However, political timing often shapes how members interpret constitutional enforcement actions.
Leaders affected close to major votes often question motive even when rules are clear.
Amisi and his allies have not challenged the text of the rule publicly so far.
Their supporters, however, question why enforcement letters arrived days before the NEC showdown.
Party headquarters maintains that branch election results triggered automatic compliance steps.
Officials say administrative action followed procedure rather than factional preference.
The grassroots elections recently reshaped several ODM county and branch leadership structures.
Those results forced multiple officials to choose between local and national party roles.
ODM now faces a delicate balance between constitutional order and political unity.
Today’s NEC outcomes could redefine internal alliances and leadership direction moving forward.
The removal of the three leaders has already shifted internal committee arithmetic.
Their absence may influence decisions on coalitions, leadership posts, and strategy resolutions.
