Gerald Kyalo. (geraldbway).
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has officially announced that it will convene its long-awaited National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi next week Friday, signaling a crucial moment in the party’s internal politics. The event is expected to bring together delegates from all 47 counties, marking a significant milestone in ODM’s roadmap as it prepares for upcoming political challenges.
Speaking to the press at the party headquarters in Nairobi, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga, along with acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo and Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed, issued a strong call to all party delegates to attend the conference. The trio emphasized the importance of unity and active participation, stressing that the NDC provides a platform for members to shape the party’s agenda and influence key decisions.
“Our delegates from across the country are the backbone of ODM,” Wanga remarked. “We are calling upon every representative from the 47 counties to ensure they are present at Jamhuri Grounds. This is a crucial opportunity for members to engage directly with the party organs and participate in shaping our future.”
The announcement, however, comes amid an intensifying dispute within the party, with factions disagreeing over the legitimacy of the upcoming conference. On Wednesday, the faction known as the ‘Linda Mwananchi’ wing, led by Siaya Governor James Orengo and deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, declared their intention to boycott the NDC. This faction contends that the conference called by party leader Oburu Oginga is illegal and lacks proper authorization.
“The National Delegates Conference called by Oburu Oginga is not recognized by the constitutional organs of the party,” Orengo stated during a press briefing. “We urge our members to refrain from attending this event and instead participate in alternative structures that adhere to ODM’s founding principles and legal framework.”
This internal dispute highlights the growing divisions within one of Kenya’s largest political parties. While Wanga and her ‘Linda Ground’ team dismissed calls for a parallel convention, they maintained that there is only one NDC scheduled for next Friday. The public disagreement between the two factions underscores ongoing tensions over leadership, party governance, and the upcoming political strategy as Kenya approaches critical election cycles.
Party insiders suggest that the split reflects deeper ideological differences and contestations over influence within ODM. The Linda Mwananchi wing argues that Oburu Oginga’s unilateral decision-making undermines established party structures, whereas the leadership aligned with Wanga claims that the conference is fully legitimate and part of the party’s constitutional process.
Observers note that the stakes for the upcoming NDC are high, as decisions made at this conference could shape the party’s direction for years to come. From leadership positions to candidate endorsements, the conference is likely to influence ODM’s strategy in both national and county-level politics. Delegates attending the event are expected to engage in discussions and vote on critical motions that could determine the party’s future course.
Political analysts say the discord within ODM is emblematic of a broader challenge facing Kenyan political parties, where internal power struggles often overshadow policy debates. “What we are seeing in ODM is a struggle for control between established leaders and emerging factions,” commented a Nairobi-based political analyst. “The outcome of this NDC will not only affect the party internally but could have wider implications for Kenya’s political landscape.”
Meanwhile, party members from the grassroots have expressed mixed reactions to the announcements. Some delegates have pledged their support for the Wanga-led NDC, citing a desire to maintain unity and focus on national objectives, while others have sympathized with the Linda Mwananchi faction, emphasizing the need for procedural correctness and adherence to party rules.
In preparation for the event, party organizers have ramped up logistics to ensure that the conference proceeds smoothly. Security measures, accommodation arrangements for delegates, and coordination with county representatives are underway, reflecting the significance the party places on a successful and well-attended gathering.
As the date for the NDC approaches, the political spotlight is firmly on ODM. All eyes will be on Jamhuri Grounds next Friday as delegates gather to either consolidate party unity or exacerbate existing divisions. The outcome of the conference, whether it reinforces the authority of the current leadership or amplifies the dissenting voices of the Linda Mwananchi wing, will have lasting consequences for ODM’s political trajectory.
With the internal rift in full view, analysts predict that Kenyan voters and political observers alike will be closely monitoring the proceedings, looking for clues about which faction may gain the upper hand ahead of the next electoral cycle. The NDC promises to be a defining moment in ODM’s history, one that could either serve as a unifying platform or deepen the fractures within the party.
Speaking to the press at the party headquarters in Nairobi, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga, along with acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo and Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed, issued a strong call to all party delegates to attend the conference. The trio emphasized the importance of unity and active participation, stressing that the NDC provides a platform for members to shape the party’s agenda and influence key decisions.
“Our delegates from across the country are the backbone of ODM,” Wanga remarked. “We are calling upon every representative from the 47 counties to ensure they are present at Jamhuri Grounds. This is a crucial opportunity for members to engage directly with the party organs and participate in shaping our future.”
The announcement, however, comes amid an intensifying dispute within the party, with factions disagreeing over the legitimacy of the upcoming conference. On Wednesday, the faction known as the ‘Linda Mwananchi’ wing, led by Siaya Governor James Orengo and deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, declared their intention to boycott the NDC. This faction contends that the conference called by party leader Oburu Oginga is illegal and lacks proper authorization.
“The National Delegates Conference called by Oburu Oginga is not recognized by the constitutional organs of the party,” Orengo stated during a press briefing. “We urge our members to refrain from attending this event and instead participate in alternative structures that adhere to ODM’s founding principles and legal framework.”
This internal dispute highlights the growing divisions within one of Kenya’s largest political parties. While Wanga and her ‘Linda Ground’ team dismissed calls for a parallel convention, they maintained that there is only one NDC scheduled for next Friday. The public disagreement between the two factions underscores ongoing tensions over leadership, party governance, and the upcoming political strategy as Kenya approaches critical election cycles.
Party insiders suggest that the split reflects deeper ideological differences and contestations over influence within ODM. The Linda Mwananchi wing argues that Oburu Oginga’s unilateral decision-making undermines established party structures, whereas the leadership aligned with Wanga claims that the conference is fully legitimate and part of the party’s constitutional process.
Observers note that the stakes for the upcoming NDC are high, as decisions made at this conference could shape the party’s direction for years to come. From leadership positions to candidate endorsements, the conference is likely to influence ODM’s strategy in both national and county-level politics. Delegates attending the event are expected to engage in discussions and vote on critical motions that could determine the party’s future course.
Political analysts say the discord within ODM is emblematic of a broader challenge facing Kenyan political parties, where internal power struggles often overshadow policy debates. “What we are seeing in ODM is a struggle for control between established leaders and emerging factions,” commented a Nairobi-based political analyst. “The outcome of this NDC will not only affect the party internally but could have wider implications for Kenya’s political landscape.”
Meanwhile, party members from the grassroots have expressed mixed reactions to the announcements. Some delegates have pledged their support for the Wanga-led NDC, citing a desire to maintain unity and focus on national objectives, while others have sympathized with the Linda Mwananchi faction, emphasizing the need for procedural correctness and adherence to party rules.
In preparation for the event, party organizers have ramped up logistics to ensure that the conference proceeds smoothly. Security measures, accommodation arrangements for delegates, and coordination with county representatives are underway, reflecting the significance the party places on a successful and well-attended gathering.
As the date for the NDC approaches, the political spotlight is firmly on ODM. All eyes will be on Jamhuri Grounds next Friday as delegates gather to either consolidate party unity or exacerbate existing divisions. The outcome of the conference, whether it reinforces the authority of the current leadership or amplifies the dissenting voices of the Linda Mwananchi wing, will have lasting consequences for ODM’s political trajectory.
With the internal rift in full view, analysts predict that Kenyan voters and political observers alike will be closely monitoring the proceedings, looking for clues about which faction may gain the upper hand ahead of the next electoral cycle. The NDC promises to be a defining moment in ODM’s history, one that could either serve as a unifying platform or deepen the fractures within the party.
