The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) planned National Delegates Convention (NDC) set for end of this month is facing uncertainty following a case challenging party leadership.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) is set to make a determination on the case on March 26, 2026, just a day before the planned NDC.
Party member Vincent Chepkwony moved to the PPDT early this month, claiming the party had failed to address issues he raised about what he termed as irregular changes in the ODM leadership.
PPDT presiding member Gathu Kiragu certified the application as urgent when it was filed on March 4, while ordering parties to be served. It was listed for mention yesterday, on March 17, when the Tribunal set March 26 as the ruling date.
Chepkwony wants the PPDT to quash the resolutions of ODM’s National Committee (NEC) meeting of February 11, 2026, that set the date of NDC, among other decisions.
The complainant, who is listed as a life member of the ODM party, claims the current leaders of the movement are violating the party constitution by usurping the powers of the NDC in electing party officials who include Oburu Oginga.
He argues that he verily believes that the resolutions having been passed by a body that is not legally recognised in the ODM Constitution, they can neither bind the Party nor any of its members.
“None of the members of the ODM holding National Offices has been legally elected by the NDC as required by the Constitution. The members have been passing resolutions purporting to bind the party and members,” Chepkwony, through lawyer Deynes Muriithi states.
In its response, ODM, through NEC member Halima Daro, the Secretary for Special Interest Groups, states that pursuant to Section 40(2) of the Political Parties Act, the Complaint should have been subjected to Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (IDRM) under the auspices of the Respondent’s Party Constitution prior to moving this Tribunal.
ODM says Chepkwony rushed to court before the party addressed his concerns dated February 13 2026.
“Instead of allowing the Complaint to be canvassed, deliberated on and determined within the Party’s structures, the Complainant proceeded to move this Tribunal by way of this Complaint. The Party avers and asserts that it has been ready and still is ready to have this matter heard and determined within the Party’s established IDRM processes.”
ODM adds, “In the circumstances, the Respondent maintains that the present Complaint is premature and improperly before this Honourable Tribunal. In the absence of exhaustion of the Party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms, this Honourable Tribunal lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter at this stage.”
ODM also denies claims that its officials are in office illegally, saying only 11 members of NEC are yet to have their election ratified by the NDC.
The include Oburu, his three deputies, Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, Paul Simba Arati and Godfrey Osotsi, Party Chairperson Gladys Nyasuna Wanga, her deputies Paul Otiende Amollo, John Ariko Namoit, Ahmed Mohammed (National Organising Secretary), Ruth Adhiambo Odinga (Deputy Organising Secretary) and Rozaah Buyu (Secretary for Political Affairs).
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