Linda Mwananchi ODM Leaders Breach Police Cordon, Enter Ufungamano House

Leaders aligned with the Linda Mwananchi wing of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and their supporters have breached a police barricade set up outside Ufungamano House before their planned ‘People’s’ National Delegates Convention (NDC). The barricade was established on Friday morning, with supporters who arrived early stating that police had informed them of ‘orders from above’ to prevent the planned gathering. They managed to break through the security measures and access the venue in large numbers, with police doing little to stop them. Leaders who have arrived at Ufungamano House and begun addressing supporters include Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino among others. The meeting occurs 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 from the Linda Ground faction, including ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga and Chairperson Gladys Wanga, have dismissed the parallel convention, maintaining that the party recognizes only one official delegates gathering.