New twist as Sifuna team meets ODM trustee, calls for party polls

The wrangles in the ODM party took a new twist on Thursday after a group of party lawmakers met one of its trustees and called for fresh elections.

The legislators, led by party secretary general Edwin Sifuna, met former Attorney General Amos Wako at a Nairobi hotel, days after internal disputes threatened to escalate.

Other trustees include ODM national treasurer Ken Bosire and party leader Oburu Oginga.

Trustees are board members given administrative powers over party matters, with a legal obligation to act in the trust’s interest.

Leaders present at the Wako meeting included Governor James Orengo (Siaya), MP Ruth Odinga (Kisumu), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), John Ariko (Turkana South), and National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo (Suba North).

Nominated senators Catherine Mumma and Crystal Asige, former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, and Nairobi County Majority Leader Peter Imwatok also attended. Businessmen Edwin Ngoga and John Andiwo were present.

Emerging from the meeting, Babu Owino called for a national delegates’ conference to reconstitute party leadership.

“We want ODM to call for NDC; it is time to take over the party leadership,” he posted on Facebook.

Some voices within the party have raised concerns that the current structure does not reflect grassroots sentiment, with accusations that some top leaders are aligned too closely with the government.

Advocates for a delegates’ meeting say it is the only legitimate forum to resolve internal disagreements and determine the party’s future direction, including leadership and political alliances.

Sifuna, in a statement, did not mention the call for an NDC, describing the meeting instead as the start of an internal dialogue he had committed to. “Sit. Talk. Tumeanza (We have started),” he said.

Sifuna also said he had met ODM boss Oburu Oginga and Ida Odinga, widow of former party leader Raila Odinga, expressing his willingness to meet all detractors to address differences.

According to sources familiar with the development, the Sifuna-led team agreed to roll out countrywide engagement tours to strengthen grassroots support.

The tours are intended to engage ODM supporters, ward officials, and county leaders amid internal strains.

“You will soon see the team moving around and attending all party meetings,” one source said.