ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga has questioned why the Linda Wananchi faction is avoiding Friday’s National Delegates Convention (NDC) in Nairobi.
Wanga noted it’s ironic that the faction led by secretary general Edwin Sifuna demanded the crucial meeting only to later announce a parallel gathering instead.
Regarding the NDC, they were the ones demanding it. They kept insisting on calling the NDC immediately. When NEC met and scheduled the NDC according to the law, they announced they would be holding a separate meeting,” she stated.
While they have the right to hold meetings anywhere, Wanga, who also serves as Homabay Governor, on Wednesday criticized the faction for ‘not prioritizing the party’s interests’.
Party members will now question who truly has the party’s interests at heart. Yes, they have a democratic right to hold meetings anywhere, but why avoid the very meeting they urgently demanded?” she questioned.
ODM will conduct its first NDC since the death of its founder Raila Odinga in October last year, where delegates are expected to approve a resolution for the party to engage in talks with ruling UDA regarding a potential coalition before the 2027 elections.
The Friday event will occur at Jamhuri grounds in Kibra constituency, while Sifuna’s Linda Wananchi faction has organized a parallel gathering at Jacaranda grounds in Embakasi East.
The factions have significant disagreements about ODM’s future following Raila’s death, with the Oburu Oginga-led Linda Ground preferring to establish an agreement with President William Ruto, while Sifuna’s group wants ODM to nominate its own candidate to challenge Ruto.
Besides Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, and MPs Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), and Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula) are leading the faction opposing a Broad Based Government.
ODM’s effort to replace Sifuna encountered obstacles when the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) issued temporary orders halting the NEC decision while a legal challenge is pending.
Consequently, ODM delegates will only be asked to approve the appointment of Oburu as party leader along with his deputies Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir. Osotsi, the third deputy party leader, is not expected to attend the NDC as he aligns with Sifuna’s group.
The PPDT is scheduled to rule tomorrow on a case contesting the NDC convening after party member Vincent Chepkwony approached the Tribunal earlier this month, asserting the party had not resolved concerns he raised regarding what he described as irregular changes in ODM’s leadership.
Chepkwony is requesting the PPDT to nullify the resolutions from ODM’s National Committee (NEC) meeting on February 11, which established the NDC date and made other decisions.
No ODM national office holders have been legally elected by the NDC as required by the constitution. These members have been passing resolutions that claim to bind the party and its members,” Chepkwony stated through his lawyer Deynes Muriithi.