Siaya Governor James Orengo during a public rally by Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM at Busia Stadium in Busia County on February 8, 2026.
A top organ of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has convened a crisis meeting today to address escalating internal disputes within the party.
The gathering also comes amid a political reshuffle in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, orchestrated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Senior officials confirmed that ODM party leader Oburu Oginga will chair the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa. However, his leadership faces resistance from a rival faction comprising Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, co-deputy leader Godfrey Osotsi, and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
The NEC gathering follows reports that Dr Oginga attempted to de-escalate tensions on Monday after a largely successful rally in Busia organised by the Sifuna-led camp. He reportedly invited Mr Sifuna and Mr Osotsi to a meeting through a third party.
Mr Osotsi, however, denied knowledge of the invitation.
Meanwhile, some party members, including National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, have called for Mr Sifuna’s removal as Secretary-General. Officials attending the NEC meeting said there are no plans to oust any party officers.
“This is a critical moment. For the sake of the party’s success, some people must step aside. As long as some of us remain, we will ensure ODM stays strong from the grassroots. We will rally our people to support Oburu Oginga, who stood firmly behind Raila Odinga despite being the elder brother,” Mr Mbadi said.
ODM Edwin Sifuna during a public rally by Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM at Busia Stadium in Busia County on February 8, 2026.
Nation has obtained a tentative agenda for the meeting, which includes preparations for the now divisive National Delegates Conference (NDC), a review of the 10-point agenda signed between ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and updates on coalition talks ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The party’s Central Management Committee authorised Dr Oginga on January 12 to engage in talks with President William Ruto. That decision, however, has sparked resistance, with the Sifuna-led faction launching a grassroots mobilisation dubbed “Linda Mwananchi” to counter Dr Oginga’s “Linda Ground”. Calls for the NDC have also become contentious, with opponents demanding that it convene delegates to elect substantive officials.
Mr Osotsi, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, and ODM Treasurer Timothy Bosire confirmed the NEC meeting. All NEC members reportedly received invitations, though attendance remains uncertain.
Mr Sifuna and Mr Osotsi were absent during the Central Management Committee meeting. While Mr Sifuna declined to comment on his attendance, Mr Osotsi confirmed receiving the invitation but remained non-committal.
“There is nothing extraordinary in the agenda. It is a follow-up to the Kilifi meeting by the Central Management Committee. We are essentially reporting our resolutions to the NEC, which has broader membership,” Mr Bosire said.
“All have been invited. We will all be present. The party’s differences will be sorted. That is politics—a few hiccups are expected, especially after Baba’s passing,” he added.
Mr Nassir said the party would proceed with its plans, emphasising that ODM is larger than any individual. “Everyone is free to give their opinion, but the majority will always prevail,” he said.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga addresses the public rally at Kamukunji grounds in Kibera, Nairobi County on January 14, 2026.
The NEC meeting is also expected to discuss recent developments in the Azimio coalition, following a surprise Monday meeting chaired by Mr Kenyatta at SKM Centre, Nairobi.
Attendees included Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Kitui Governor and Narc Party leader Charity Ngilu, outgoing Azimio Executive Director Raphael Tuju, Jubilee Secretary-General Moitalel Ole Kenta, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, Jubilee Vice Chair David Murathe, and Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua.
Mr Kenyatta’s interventions included replacing Azimio Secretary-General Junet Mohammed with Mr Omondi and removing the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as coalition leader, with Mr Musyoka appointed in his stead.
Mr Tuju was also replaced by former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia as coalition Executive Director.
The meeting reportedly discussed plans to effect leadership changes on the Minority side in Parliament, a move that could affect Mr Mohammed and other pro-broad-based government MPs holding key positions in the two Houses.
Mr Murathe said Parliament recognises only Azimio and Kenya Kwanza as Minority and Majority sides. He noted that MPs who have joined the broad-based government cannot claim to represent the Minority side.
Currently, Azimio’s National Assembly leadership includes Minority Leader Junet Mohammed, deputised by Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, and Minority Whip Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, deputised by Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje. In the Senate, Minority Leader is Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, with Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua as deputy. Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina is Minority Whip, deputised by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
ODM party leaders at Sameta grounds in Kisii County during the 'Linda Ground' event on January 25, 2026.
ODM has protested Mr Kenyatta’s coalition leadership changes, describing them as irregular and a breach of the coalition agreement. Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen, in a letter to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), said Mr Kenyatta lacks the authority to appoint or dismiss coalition officials outside a duly constituted council meeting attended by major coalition partners.
The implementation of the 10-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) between ODM and UDA is emerging as the next battleground for the 2027 pre-election coalition. President William Ruto and Senator Oginga are using its execution to counter criticism and encourage party members to support the coalition talks. Deadlines under the agreement, including the March 7 release of a final report on its implementation, add urgency to the process.
During a Sunday rally in Busia, Mr Sifuna’s team challenged the government over the 10-point agenda’s implementation.
“They call us rebels when we ask critical questions and defend the people. We shall not be cowed. Raila did not mentor cowards; we will soldier on. The agreement between ODM and UDA ends on March 7, and there will be no extension. Renewal requires Baba’s signature, but he is resting in Bondo,” Mr Sifuna said.
Governor Orengo accused some party colleagues of plotting to betray ODM and vowed to resist. “We will not allow anyone to sell the party. We do not want ‘tumbocrats’ in ODM. No one will break this party, nor will it be swallowed by another. Everything ODM stands for benefits the people,” he said.
The NEC meeting is thus set against a backdrop of intense intra-party tensions, coalition realignments, and pre-election strategising ahead of 2027.
Analysts say the outcome could influence both ODM’s internal cohesion and Azimio’s positioning as Kenya approaches the next general elections.
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