ODM leaders’ retreat opens in Mombasa as party refocuses on 2027 elections

ODM has begun a three-day leadership retreat in Mombasa, bringing together more than 70 elected leaders to deliberate on the affairs and future direction of the party.

The meeting, which runs from Sunday to Tuesday, is expected to define ODM’s political roadmap, with a strong focus on preparations for the 2027 General Election and strategies to strengthen its national presence.

“We are discussing anything and everything politics, parliamentary affairs and the 2027 General Election,” National Assembly Minority Leader Janet Mohamed told the Star at the start of the retreat.

The Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said the gathering would also address ongoing political developments, including planned talks with UDA, internal divisions and efforts to reinforce party unity and organisational strength.

The Mombasa retreat comes at a time when ODM is grappling with emerging factions and growing unease among sections of its leadership over the party’s political direction ahead of the polls.

The party is currently split into competing political camps, with one group associated with ODM leader Oburu Oginga, identified with the Linda Ground faction, while another, led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, is aligned to the Linda Mwananchi group.

Junet said the party had extended invitations to all elected leaders, warning that absence would be interpreted as disengagement from ODM.

“ODM has convened a meeting in Mombasa. Anyone who does not come and is not present is not part of us. We cannot discuss people who are not members,” he said.

Leaders at the retreat are expected to focus on restoring cohesion, addressing internal tensions and responding to political pressures that have intensified in recent weeks.

The divisions have been highlighted by the rise of the Linda Mwananchi faction, which has openly questioned the current leadership structure and raised concerns over succession politics within the party.

Siaya Governor James Orengo, who is associated with the faction, has previously declared himself the legitimate ODM leader, challenging the authority of Oburu’s leadership.

The remarks have further strained internal relations and placed pressure on the party’s top leadership to stabilise its structures.

Despite these tensions, some delegates at the retreat insisted that ODM was shifting focus away from internal disputes and concentrating instead on rebuilding its organisational base and strengthening its electoral machinery.

“We are not here to dwell on disagreements. We are here to build the future of this party and position it for 2027 and beyond,” ODM National chairperson Gladys Wanga said.

Wanga said ODM was committed to redefining its political identity and messaging, describing the party as a “credible champion for pragmatic change and the people’s agenda”.

She acknowledged that recent internal wrangles had affected ODM’s public image, but said the retreat offered an opportunity for renewal and strategic refocus.

“We want to restore clarity about who we are, what we stand for and where we are going,” she said. “That clarity has been clouded, but this is the moment to refocus.”

Sources also indicate that leaders are assessing the performance of ODM-affiliated leaders serving in government, with proposals aimed at ensuring they remain connected to party structures and grassroots mobilisation.

Further, leaders are discussing plans to revitalise the youth and women’s leagues to enhance participation and strengthen election preparedness.

The party is also expected to direct its election board to develop a transparent and credible nomination framework ahead of party primaries, aimed at reducing internal disputes.

ODM leaders said resolutions from the Mombasa retreat would form the basis of the party’s official election strategy, which is expected to be unveiled later this year.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

ODM has launched a three-day retreat in Mombasa, bringing together over 70 leaders to realign its strategy ahead of the 2027 elections. The meeting is focused on unity, organisational reform and election preparedness amid emerging internal factions and leadership disputes. Leaders are also reviewing relations with UDA, strengthening grassroots structures and improving nomination processes. Despite tensions between rival camps, party officials insist the focus is shifting to rebuilding cohesion and sharpening ODM’s political machinery for a competitive 2027 race.