Defiant and unbowed, the Oburu Oginga-led faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has given the green light for the party’s make-or-break Special National Delegates Conference (NDC) on March 27, 2026, in Nairobi – steamrolling straight over blistering protests from the Edwin Sifuna camp.
A formal notice issued by acting Deputy Secretary-General Catherine Omanyo on March 5 confirms the 9am showdown at a Nairobi venue, with preparations now in top gear. The agenda? Strictly limited: rubber-stamp the interim leadership line-up (Oburu as party leader, Gladys Wanga as National Chairperson, and other NGC-approved officials) and deliver policy direction. No open competitive elections for national posts – those are parked for a later convention closer to 2027.
Oburu himself has thrown down the gauntlet to his critics. “We are going to have our NDC. Those who have been saying Oburu is an illegitimate ODM party leader because he was not confirmed by NDC, we have called the meeting on March 27, and we are inviting them to come… We shall meet them there. Delegates, will you give me the leadership of the party?” he declared boldly.
Makadara MP George Aladwa, a staunch Oburu ally, was even blunter: “There is nothing like election during the NDC. People have to align with the decision taken by the party organs.”
The rival “Linda Mwananchi” faction – led by embattled Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi – is fuming. They insist the convention is illegal unless:
• All national positions are thrown open for competitive polls
• The full delegate list (capped at 3,000) is published for scrutiny
• Grassroots branch and league elections are completed first
Osotsi fired back: “The current dispute in ODM can only be resolved through a competitive election… There can never be a formal NDC in the absence of a complete list of delegates.” The camp also questions why the notice wasn’t issued by substantive Secretary-General Sifuna, whose removal by the NEC remains tied up in court (the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal granted him a temporary stay).
ODM Life Members have piled on, demanding the 14-day notice be revoked until pending polls are done, with Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie Odinga joining calls for Oburu’s resignation and a properly constituted convention.
The bitter rift erupted after the death of founding leader Raila Odinga in October 2025. Oburu was installed as interim leader, but Sifuna and allies cried foul, citing constitutional violations. The NEC’s move to axe Sifuna as SG and install Omanyo acting only poured fuel on the fire.
Two factions have since emerged: Oburu’s “Linda Ground” camp (pushing closer ties with President William Ruto’s UDA ahead of 2027) versus Sifuna’s “Linda Mwananchi” brigade (insisting ODM stays firmly in opposition). Parallel rallies and public spats have kept the drama boiling.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed insisted the party is ready: “We majorly discussed the issue of NDC… we are prepared and ready to hold the meeting and take the party forward.”
With the 21-day constitutional notice now public and preparations rolling, the March 27 NDC is shaping up as the ultimate test of Oburu’s authority. Will Sifuna’s allies boycott, turn up to disrupt, or accept the delegates’ verdict?
One thing is crystal clear: Kenya’s most storied opposition party is hurtling toward its most decisive moment since Raila’s era. The outcome could reshape ODM’s identity, its 2027 coalition strategy, and the entire opposition landscape.
Watch this space – the ODM civil war is far from over
