One faction calling itself Linda Ground, headed by party leader Oburu Oginga, will be in the famous Tononoka grounds in Mombasa to push for its Broad-Based Government (BBG) agenda.
On the other hand, the faction led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, calling itself Linda Wananchi, will be at Kitengela for its anti-BBG rally.
The Sifuna team is expected to begin their procession following a church service at ACK St Peter’s Orkeju, Emunyak in Kajiado, while the Oburu team will be at Tononoka from 1 pm.
Last week, the Political Parties Tribunal (PPT) reversed a move by the Oburu faction to fire Sifuna as the ODM party’s Secretary General over claims of being disloyal to the party.
Sifuna’s event is expected to draw prominent political figures from ODM, according to a poster promoting it, who include Siaya Governor James Orengo and ODM Deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.
Others are Senators Richard Onyonka (Kisii), Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira), MPs Babu Owino, Caroli Omondi, Anthony Kibagendi, Obadia Barongo, Jack Wamboka, Clive Gisairo, Wilberforce Oundo, Patrick Makau among others.
As Sifuna prepared for today’s rally, a section of ODM leaders from the Western region questioned the manner in which the Oburu-led NEC attempted to remove him, saying it was being done in violation of the Constitution.
“As a founder member of the Party, I have today made it clear that ODM must love its ideals, including promoting democracy and espousing fairness,” Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera said on Saturday at Bumamu Comprehensive School.
Nabii added, “As clearly demonstrated, ODM NEC did not give Edwin Sifuna, the Secretary General fair hearing as provided for in our Constitution. On behalf of the genuine Kakamega leadership of ODM, we find the decision of NEC unfair and unconstitutional.”
On the other hand, Oburu will be accompanied by host governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, Kisii’s Simba Arati, party chair and Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, and several top party luminaries affiliated with the BBG.
“Departing Nairobi for Mombasa this morning for the grand ODM Linda Ground Rally at Tononoka grounds. Karibuni nyote,” National Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Sam Atandi wrote on X account.
The ODM leaders prefer a deal with President William Ruto’s UDA party ahead of 2027, having formally initiated a process of exiting from the Azimio Coalition, and are making demands which include being granted a position of running mate.
Ahead of today’s rally in Tononoka, a truck was seen in Mombasa bearing a banner of President Ruto and Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho as a potential running mate.
Joho is among the key ODM figures eyeing the DP slot even as allies of current DP Prof Kithure Kindiki insist that the position is not among what will be negotiated.
“The Deputy President’s seat should be completely off the negotiation table because there is no valid reason for it to be targeted. The current holder is capable and should continue serving,” Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said on Saturday.
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