A reported return of an official ODM vehicle by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has added a new twist to the ongoing political developments surrounding his removal as the party’s Secretary-General.
The move comes just days after changes in the Orange Democratic Movement leadership were formally ratified, further highlighting the widening gap between Sifuna and the party’s current leadership.
Reports indicate that the silver Toyota Land Cruiser Prado assigned to Sifuna during his time as Secretary-General was returned to ODM headquarters at Chungwa House on July 22.
A document circulating online, titled “Return of Official Party Vehicle KCW 010U,” appears to show that the vehicle was handed over and received by an ODM driver. However, neither Sifuna nor the party had issued an official statement confirming the handover by the time of publication.
The reported vehicle return follows Sifuna’s removal from the influential Secretary-General position, a role he had held for nearly eight years.
His exit was first approved by the party’s National Executive Committee during a meeting in Mombasa before being upheld by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
The registrar found that the process followed both the Political Parties Act and ODM’s internal constitution.
In recent months, the Prado had become part of a wider political debate within ODM. Several party leaders questioned whether Sifuna should continue using an official party vehicle after leaving office. Among those who openly raised the issue was Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who repeatedly argued that party resources should only be used by officials actively serving in leadership positions.
The reported handover is being viewed by some observers as a symbolic end to Sifuna’s tenure in ODM’s top leadership ranks.
Despite the changes, he remains the elected Senator for Nairobi County and continues to hold his seat in Parliament.
Sifuna’s differences with ODM leadership became more visible after he openly opposed the party’s broad-based cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration.
While ODM has defended the arrangement and pledged support for Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, Sifuna has maintained a different political position and has often associated himself with voices critical of the government, including those linked to the Linda Mwananchi movement.
His removal as Secretary-General was followed by another setback when he lost his position as Senate Deputy Minority Whip. ODM later replaced him with Migori Senator Eddie Oliech, further reducing his influence within the party struure.
Although Sifuna remains a member of ODM, the recent leadership changes and the reported return of the official vehicle suggest that his relationship with the party leadership continues to face significant challenges.
