A fresh political storm has erupted in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after it emerged that there would be no competitive elections of national officials during the planned March 27 Special National Delegates Convention (NDC).
Instead, party leader Oburu Oginga-led camp has limited the agenda of the convention to confirmation of interim officials by the delegates.
Nation has learnt that the party plans another NDC tentatively in December or early 2027 to consider other agenda items, including a possible endorsement of a pre-election coalition between ODM and President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
President William Ruto, Siaya Governor James Orengo and the Senator Oburu Oginga when he hosted leaders and business people from the county at State House, Nairobi on June 5, 2025.
Photo credit: PSC
The decision to limit the agenda of the NDC was made on Wednesday by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as part of Dr Oginga’s strategy to consolidate power and to forestall a possible acrimonious fallout.
But the rival camp led by the embattled Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, co-deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, has since issued fresh demands that they will not participate in the exercise unless all the national positions are opened up for competitive elections.
The camp has also demanded that the list of ODM delegates invited for the event be published before the convention for public scrutiny, while questioning the legality of the convention on the basis that the party was yet to conclude its grassroots elections, including in its strategic counties of Nairobi and Kisumu.
“As they publish the notice of the meeting, let them publish the list of delegates expected to attend the NDC,” Mr Osotsi told Nation in an interview.
He cited Article 47 of the party’s constitution that set the maximum number of delegates present at any National Delegates Convention at 3,000. The same Article also lists the mandate of the NDC, that include election of national officials.
“The current dispute in ODM can only be resolved through a competitive election. All interim officials and any other eligible party member should be allowed to apply and compete for any of the national positions,” said the Vihiga senator.
He also raised questions over delegates set to attend the meeting, saying the party had declared grassroots positions vacant but was yet to conclude the elections which started last year.
“There can never be a formal NDC in the absence of a complete list of delegates. Who will be representing counties that are yet to conduct their elections?’ he posed.
According to the planned NDC, the interim officials, including Dr Oginga, his three deputies; Mr Osotsi, Abdulswamad Nassir and Simba Arati and National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, among other officials – approved by the party’s National Governing Council (NGC) in Mombasa last year – are set to be presented individually before the delegates for either confirmation or rejection.
“This is not an open-ended NDC. NEC has only approved two agenda items, including confirmation of the officials, whose nominations to their positions were ratified by the NGC in Mombasa. We are required to advertise the agenda in the papers, so it be there tomorrow (Friday),” said a NEC member, who spoke off the record.
ODM Nairobi branch chairman and Makadara MP George Aladwa told Nation that those interested in competitive elections should wait for the next NDC to be convened before the 2027 General Election. He said this is not the time to open up the party for competitive elections that could further the existing struggles following the death of the founding party leader Raila Odinga in October 2025.
“There is nothing like election during the NDC. People have to align with the decision taken by the party organs. What we have agreed on is to meet and confirm the national officials who were sworn in in Mombasa last year.”
“It is not possible now to conduct election of national officials when grassroots polls were yet to be concluded. It is only after we conclude elections in the pending areas that people can talk about national elections,” said Mr Aladwa.
In a recent event, Dr Oginga invited critics questioning his legitimacy to attend the convention, saying the NDC will provide a forum to settle the debate through a democratic process.
“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, and if they have something to say to Kenyans, let them come and say it there. We shall meet them there. Delegates, will you give me the leadership of the party?” he said.
Background: President William Ruto and ODM party leader Oburu Oginga. Foreground (from left): ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, EALA member Winnie Odinga, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Following the NEC meeting chaired by Governor Wanga on Wednesday, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed said all preparations have been put in place to have the crucial meeting.
The NDC is a moment of reckoning for camps loyal to Dr Oginga and Mr Sifuna, with the outcome likely to influence the party’s internal balance of power.
“We majorly discussed the issue of NDC. I want to confirm that we are prepared and ready to hold the meeting and take the party forward. The NDC will give policy direction on some of the pending issues.
Whereas the NEC resolved to remove Mr Sifuna from office and appointed his deputy Catherine Omanyo in acting capacity until a substantive secretary-general is elected, Political Parties Disputes Tribunal gave him a crucial temporary reprieve barring the party from executing his ouster.
Another NEC official, who sought anonymity said the removal of Mr Sifuna may not be on the agenda since the matter is still in court. “It is a public matter but it is being handled internally. It is also in court. Since we respect institutions, we will let the matter take its natural course,” said the official.
ODM’s NDC is composed of members of NEC, Members of Parliament, governors, chairpersons of branch executive committees, all chairpersons of the county coordinating committees and minority and majority leaders in county assemblies.
Also in the list of NDC delegates are national officials of the ODM Youth League, national officials of the ODM Women League, national officials of the ODM Disability League, among others.
“The maximum number of Delegates present at any National Delegates Convention shall not exceed three thousand (3,000) Delegates. The National Executive Committee may invite individuals who have made special contribution to the Party or who have special skills or experience to attend the Convention with no right to vote.”
Article 49 provides that a Special Delegates Convention shall be summoned by the Chairperson upon the decision of the National Executive Committee or upon a requisition in writing signed by at least one third of the delegates eligible to attend an Ordinary Session of the Convention.
It also provides that the notice and agenda convening the meeting shall be sent out by the Secretary General at least 21 days before such date and published on the Party website and/or at least one daily English newspaper with wide national circulation, and/or at least one Swahili radio broadcast carried by a leading broadcasting station.
“Only agenda items prepared by the National Executive Committee or as may be requisitioned by delegates shall be discussed at the Special Delegates Convention.”
It further provides that a quorum of the Ordinary or Special Sessions of the National Delegates Convention shall be 30 percent of eligible members present and voting.
