Police on Friday blocked access to Ufungamano House along Mamlaka Road in Nairobi, where a planned People's National Delegates conference was to happen.
The meeting had been convened by a group of ODM members led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, among others.
Police maintained a heavy presence in the area throughout the morning, dispersing small gatherings and directing organisers to postpone the meeting.
Nairobi police boss Issa Mohamud said the decision was taken to prevent potential clashes.
“They can hold their meeting on any other day other than today. We are talking to the leaders to move it,” he said.
Osotsi insisted the meeting would proceed, saying: “We, the People, shall gather for the people's NDC at Ufungamano House, Mamlaka Road.”
Tension briefly rose in the area as police moved to break up groups attempting to assemble, with some organisers accusing security officers of interfering in internal party affairs.
Later on, the Linda Mwananchi wing of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and their supporters managed to breach a police barricade that was set up outside Ufungamano House.
The meeting comes amid a split within ODM, with the party's Linda Ground faction set to hold its own Special Delegates Convention (SDC) at Jamhuri Grounds to ratify decisions made during the National Executive Council (NEC).
Leaders allied to the Linda Ground faction, including ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and Chairperson Gladys Wanga, have dismissed the parallel convention.
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