ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and Kisii Governor Simba Arati arrive for the National Executive Committee meeting at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa, Feburary 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLI

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is holding a high-stakes National Executive Committee meeting at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa amid deepening internal tensions over leadership and the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 general election.

The meeting, the second major NEC sitting since the death of long‐time leader Raila Odinga in October, is officially set to receive a briefing from the party’s Central Management Committee (CMC) on coalition building with the ruling UDA and preparations for the National Delegates Convention (NDC).Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and ODM leader Oburu Oginga arrive at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa for ODM's National Executive Committee meeting, Feburary 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLIHeavy police presence outside the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa ahead of ODM's National Executive Committee meeting, Feburary 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLI

Insiders say the gathering is increasingly seen as a decisive moment in leadership struggles within the party.

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Central to the drama is the reported push by a faction allied to acting party leader Oburu Oginga to remove secretary general Edwin Sifuna.

Sources suggest there is growing momentum to replace Sifuna with Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, with some party honchos arguing that ODM needs a secretary general more closely aligned with Oburu’s vision and strategic direction.ODM leaders, including national chairperson Gladys Wanga arrive at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa for ODM's National Executive Committee meeting, Feburary 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLIODM leaders Ruth Odinga and Esther Passaris arrive at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa for ODM's National Executive Committee meeting, Feburary 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLI

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Compounding tensions, several senior NEC members have been removed from the committee ahead of the meeting.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, former councillor Kipkorir Menjo and Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma were dropped from the NEC after winning county party branch elections, a move officials said was required under the ODM constitution, which bars officials from holding dual positions.

Notably, Sifuna himself did not attend the Mombasa meeting, sending apologies, while Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi cited Senate business for his absence.Kisii Governor and ODM co-deputy leader arrives at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa for ODM's National Executive Committee meeting, February 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLIKisii Governor and ODM co-deputy leader arrives at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa for ODM's National Executive Committee meeting, February 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLI

The underlying fault line in the party is a strategic dispute over cooperation with President William Ruto’s UDA party, with some leaders backing structured negotiations and others, including Sifuna’s faction, warning that such alignment risks diluting ODM’s oppositional identity and alienating its base.

Overall, the NEC meeting could reshape ODM’s leadership and strategy as the party grapples with unity, identity and preparation for the next election cycle.ODM leaders arrive at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa for ODM's National Executive Committee meeting, Feburary 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLI

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo arrives at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa for ODM's National Executive Committee meeting, Feburary 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLILeaders arrive at the PrideInn hotel in Mombasa for ODM's National Executive Committee meeting, Feburary 11, 2026. /JOHN CHESOLI