Eyes on ODM as rival factions plan parallel Nairobi meetings

ODM wrangles are set to escalate on Friday as rival factions plan parallel meetings in Nairobi, highlighting deepening internal divisions within the party.

The mainstream faction, branded ‘ODM Linda Ground’ and led by acting party leader Oburu Oginga, has convened a special National Delegates Convention at Jamhuri grounds in Kibra.

The meeting is expected to draw at least 3,000 delegates from across the country and will primarily focus on ratifying Oburu’s elevation to the helm of the political outfit.

However, a rival faction under the ‘Linda Mwananchi’ banner, associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, has rejected the convention and promised to hold a parallel gathering in the capital.

By press time, the venue for the rival meeting remained unclear, although earlier indications suggested it could take place at Jakaranda grounds.

“Yes, our meeting is on. We will disclose other details later,” Babu said in a brief phone interview, signalling the faction’s determination to proceed with its plans despite opposition from the party leadership.

At the heart of the dispute is a deepening ideological and leadership rift within ODM.

The Sifuna-Babu camp is pushing for the election of a new substantive party leader following Raila Odinga’s demise, arguing that the current interim arrangement lacks legitimacy.

The group has also strongly opposed any plans to enter into a preelection coalition agreement with President William Ruto and his UDA.

The anti-coalition faction has attracted a significant number of leaders, including Siaya Governor James Orengo and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.

On the other hand, the Oburu-led faction has dismissed the rebellion, insisting that the planned NDC is legitimate and inclusive.

ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party had invited more than 3,000 delegates, including members aligned to the rival camp.

“On this NDC issue, they are the ones who demanded for it. They kept shouting ‘call the NDC now’. And when the NEC (National Executive Committee) met and called for the NDC as per the law, they said instead they will be holding a parallel meeting,” Wanga said.

National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed echoed her remarks, saying that invitations had been sent to all delegates without discrimination.

“We sent out invitations to all the delegates. Whether they attend or not is up to them,” Junet said, downplaying claims that the meeting could be used to purge dissenting members.

He maintained that the convention would strictly adhere to its published agenda, which was circulated 21 days in advance, and would not entertain any additional motions outside the set programme.

Despite these assurances, speculation remains rife that the Oburu camp could use the convention to discipline or remove perceived rebels from party positions.

ODM deputy secretary general Catherine Omanyo hinted at possible disciplinary measures, citing provisions within party rules.

“According to the law, if you are a NEC member and you don’t attend more than three meetings, then you are fit for disciplinary action,” she said.

Omanyo added, “It calls for action for being a habitual absentee. If you are never there, it means you are stalling programmes of the party.

However, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo offered a legal perspective, cautioning against any attempt to use the NDC to remove officials.

He clarified that only NEC has the mandate to sanction the removal of party officials, and such decisions must be supported by a majority vote.

“Bodies such as the special delegates convention do not have the mandate to remove officials. Any attempt to use such forums for ouster would be procedurally flawed and outside the party’s constitutional framework,” Amollo said.

Otiende further weighed in on the broader political direction of the party, insisting that any potential alliance with UDA must be based on structured negotiations.

He said that ODM should only consider supporting President Ruto if it secures a significant stake in government, including the deputy president position.

Meanwhile, ODM Nairobi county chairman George Aladwa, a close ally of Oburu, dismissed the rival meeting as illegitimate and urged members to ignore it.

“The party has only one NDC at Jamhuri showground. Any other purported meeting is not recognised by the party membership and should be shunned,” Aladwa said.

He also challenged dissenting leaders to declare their allegiance, warning that they could not continue opposing the party’s direction from within.

“Sifuna and Osotsi should tell us if they are in ODM or not. If they cannot toe the line, they should just leave,” he added.

But Osotsi defended the ‘Linda Mwananchi ‘faction, saying their planned “people’s convention” was aimed at safeguarding the party’s democratic ideals.

He accused the rival camp of deepening divisions by ignoring reconciliation efforts led by a mediation team headed by former Busia Senator Amos Wako.

According to Osotsi, tensions escalated after a controversial NEC meeting in Kilifi, where decisions were made without involving all party leaders, including an attempt to remove Sifuna as secretary general—an action later overturned by the courts.

“The Linda Grounds team is pushing an agenda to endorse a working arrangement with UDA and to kick out those who do not support it. They should know the citizens are with the Linda Mwananchi team,” Osotsi said.

With both sides digging in, Friday’s parallel meetings are likely to mark a defining moment for ODM, potentially shaping its leadership, unity and political direction ahead of the 2027 election.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

ODM is facing deep internal divisions as rival factions plan parallel meetings in Nairobi. One group backs acting leader Oburu Oginga and a possible alliance with William Ruto, while another led by Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino demands new leadership and rejects the coalition. The standoff highlights a power struggle likely to shape ODM’s unity and 2027 election strategy.