Defiant Sifuna group pushes past police to access Ufungamano House

ODM Linda Mwananchi leaders address supporters at Ufungamano House, March 27, 2026. /ENOS TECHE

ODM’s Linda Mwananchi faction, led by embattled secretary general Edwin Sifuna, struck a defiant tone after breaking through heavy police barricades to access Ufungamano House, the venue for the parallel National Delegates Conference.

The group burst into song and dance following a tense standoff with heavily armed anti-riot police who had sealed off entry points and the main gate to Ufungamano House along Mamlaka Road in Nairobi.

Officers watched as one group sang and danced in circles outside the building, while another engaged police at the main entrance to the auditorium in a bid to gain access.

After several minutes of pushing and shoving, the baton-wielding officers eventually gave way.

“Raila hakulea vijana waoga, sisi sio waoga,” a youth leader declared from the podium.

He accused unnamed individuals of attempting to weaken the opposition by sowing division within political parties.

“Kuna mkora anataka kuharibu vyama hii Kenya. Anatuma polisi ati tusiingie hapa. Hii ni ODM ama sio ODM? Tumeingia hatujaingia? Watafanya nini?” he posed.

He added that there is only one party in the country that will not bow to intimidation, citing what he described as the enduring principles of Raila Odinga.

Sifuna, alongside Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, convened the parallel NDC at the same time as a rival meeting organised by the Linda Ground faction at Jamhuri Grounds in Kibra.

"I want to tell the police that any assault on any one of us will be met with consequences. We will pursue you and hold you accountable, and we will also go after those who sent you," Orengo said.

ODM Linda Mwananchi leaders inside Ufungamano House for their parallel NDC, March 27, 2026. /ENOS TECHE

The Jamhuri gathering, led by party leader Oburu Odinga, is intended to address leadership changes, fill vacant positions and outline strategy ahead of the 2027 general election.

On February 11, the ODM National Executive Committee resolved to remove Sifuna as secretary general over alleged misconduct and indiscipline, appointing Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo as acting SG.

Sifuna challenged the decision in court, and on March 26, 2026, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal directed him to first exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before seeking judicial intervention.

In a show of defiance, the Linda Mwananchi group organised the parallel NDC in what appeared to be an attempt to assert its authority as the legitimate ODM faction and affirm Sifuna’s leadership.

ODM Linda Mwananchi supporters engage with riot police outside Ufungamano House ahead of their parallel NDC, March 27  /ENOS TECHE

Police maintained a heavy presence around Ufungamano House, with Nairobi police commander Issa Mohamud saying the deployment was meant to prevent possible clashes.

“They can hold their meeting on any other day other than today. We are talking to the leaders to move it,” he said.

Sifuna condemned the move, accusing police of misplacing security priorities. He maintained that ODM had complied with the law by issuing prior notice, and questioned the need for such a heavy show of force.

“We gave notice that we would hold a meeting here, but unfortunately the place is now filled with police trucks outside,” he said.

He argued that while security agencies are quick to mobilise for political events, many parts of the country continue to face serious insecurity challenges.

“This was not a protest; it was a peaceful meeting. At the same time, people are being killed by bandits, yet you don’t see a crackdown like this there,” he said.