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ODM faces moment of truth as three-day retreat kicks off in Mombasa
What you need to know:
- Party members to discuss the planned pre-election negotiations with the ruling party UDA.
- Ms Omanyo challenged leaders in the Linda Mwananchi faction to come forward and unite the party.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has kicked off its three-day retreat in Mombasa, where members are expected to deliberate on issues threatening to break the party apart ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to party officials, all members of the National Executive Committee have been invited, alongside members of parliament, senators, governors as well as Cabinet Secretaries seconded by ODM to the broad-based arrangement.
ODM Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo confirmed that invitations were also sent out to the party’s Linda Mwananchi splinter group members led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo among others.
“We sent out invitations to him (Sifuna) and I am sure he already received it. We will be bonding more and reminding ourselves why are we in ODM,” said Ms Omanyo.
She added that the retreat will iron out the differences within the party, seeking to address claims that ODM is under the threat of being swallowed by President William Ruto’s UDA party.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga (fourth right) dances youths during the party's Youth Convention at Jamhuri showgrounds in Nairobi on April 20, 2026.
This comes at a time when more leaders, among them Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o have come out strongly to criticise some positions taken by top party leaders, including how to handle the so called rebels and the zoning concept ahead of 2027.
“Since Raila Odinga left us, we have had situations in our party to the level of claims that we are being gulped. We are not, and this session will be important to all ODM members and people who love ODM and those who want to keep Baba’s legacy alive,” she said.
The Mombasa retreat will also provide a platform for members of the party to delve deeper into the planned pre-election negotiations with the ruling party UDA. Ms Omanyo urged Kenyans to be patient, reiterating that the issue of negotiations will be among the key agendas of the meeting.
The party is expected to nominate members to a joint negotiation committee with UDA. A Cabinet Secretary may be among the nominated committee members.
Ms Omanyo challenged leaders in the Linda Mwananchi faction to come forward and unite the party in order to ensure its strength and bargaining power ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We would like all ODM members not to be part of a problem, we want them to be part of a solution if they truly loved Baba and the ideologies of the party. It is unfortunate what we witness sometimes but we just hope and pray that everything will calm,” she said.
Youths follow proceedings during ODM Youth Convention at Jamhuri showgrounds in Nairobi on April 20, 2026.
The party is under mounting political pressure in its quest to be part of the next government under a power sharing framework with President William Ruto.
ODM members have been agitating for the position of the deputy president, a move seen to be posing a threat to the current office holder Prof Kithure Kindiki, terming their demand as an irreducible minimum.
The leaders will engage in closed door deliberations before announcing resolutions expected to be delivered on Tuesday by the party leader Oburu Oginga.
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