A faction within ODM aligned to party leader Oburu Oginga has pressed ahead with plans for the party’s National Delegates Convention, despite objections from a rival camp.
On Friday, the Oburu-led group issued a formal notice convening the crucial meeting, setting the stage for a fresh showdown within the outfit.
The notice, published in local newspapers, comes amid protests from secretary general Edwin Sifuna’s camp, which has demanded the publication of the delegates’ register and clarity on the electoral process before any convention can proceed.
ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi warned that moving forward without resolving these concerns could compromise the credibility of the exercise.
“They should publish the list of delegates. The meeting is illegal without the completion of grassroots elections. Who are the delegates?” he asked, citing counties such as Nairobi, Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu and Turkana, where elections have yet to be concluded.
Earlier, Oburu had cancelled Kisumu county delegates elections, citing a “polarised environment”.
In a directive to ODM’s National Elections Coordination Committee, he said intelligence reports indicated holding the elections under the prevailing conditions would be problematic.
Yet the Oburu faction appeared undeterred. The notice issued on Friday outlines the agenda for the NDC, scheduled for March 27 in Nairobi, starting 9am.
Among the roughly 3,000 delegates expected to attend are members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), the parliamentary group, governors, county assembly leaders and representatives of the party’s youth, women and disability leagues.
Key items for discussion include ratification of the National Governing Council resolution on party leadership, consideration of a NEC resolution on Article 87 of the party constitution, and an address by the party leader.
In effect, delegates are expected to confirm acting officials, including Oburu as party leader, Gladys Wanga as national chairperson and the three deputy leaders—governors Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), Simba Arati (Kisii) and Senator Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga)—ending debates over the legality of their tenure.
Sifuna, however, has obtained an order from the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) restraining the party from implementing the NEC resolution to remove him as secretary general until the matter is heard on March 12.
He has sought to suspend the NEC decision and prevent its publication in the Kenya Gazette, citing concerns that internal dispute mechanisms were bypassed.
ODM, argues that Sifuna rushed to court before exhausting internal remedies and insists the NEC’s actions are constitutionally anchored, consistent with fair administrative practice.
In its submissions, the party contended that “before the NEC could issue the formal notice contemplated under Article 74(3) and trigger the structured Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism, Sifuna moved to court, effectively halting a process that was still in its formative stage”.
The party further maintains the tribunal lacks jurisdiction, citing Section 40(2) of the Political Parties Act, which requires exhaustion of internal remedies before legal action.
ODM has asked the tribunal to dismiss Sifuna’s case on these grounds.
Observers say the outcome of the NDC could significantly shape the future direction of the party, determining which faction consolidates control over one of Kenya’s most influential political outfits.
The meeting is also likely to intensify tensions, coming amid broader debates over the party’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration.
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