In a dramatic show of defiance, leaders of the Linda Mwananchi faction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) breached a heavy police barricade and successfully convened their parallel “People’s National Delegates Conference” at Ufungamano House today.
The event unfolded amid soaring tensions and a deepening leadership crisis in ODM . The faction, which styles itself as the true guardian of the party’s opposition roots, accuses President William Ruto’s government of meddling in ODM affairs to engineer a takeover and push the party toward cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Early Friday morning, a heavy police contingent sealed off Ufungamano House. Nairobi Senator and embattled ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, leading the faction, reacted sharply: “We gave notice of the meeting but we can see the venue cordoned off by police.”
Undeterred, Sifuna and allies including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi mobilised supporters who pushed past the barricades.
Police made no serious attempt to stop the crowd. Babu Owino captured the defiant mood, declaring: “Linda Mwananchi is not the enemy of the state! Linda Mwananchi is the defender of the people!”
Osotsi accused the government of interference: “They have arranged an illegal meeting while ours is the legitimate one. The President is using police to block us.”
Sifuna branded the rival Special Delegates Conference at Jamhuri Grounds “illegal,” stating: “Those without authority are making decisions for the party.”
He called for ODM to return to Raila Odinga’s ideals and reject government alliances: “We cannot support a system that uses police to disrupt political meetings.”
The faction is demanding fresh internal elections and has rejected any cooperation with the ruling coalition.
Meanwhile, the official ODM leadership under party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga and Chairperson Gladys Wanga held its conference at Jamhuri Grounds, dismissing the Ufungamano event as illegitimate.
Yesterday, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal declined to stop the official gathering. The split reflects broader battles over ODM’s future direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Linda Mwananchi insists the party must remain a fierce opposition force, while the rival camp appears open to working with the government.
Whether the factions can reconcile or whether today marks the beginning of a permanent split remains to be seen.
The drama has thrust ODM’s internal wrangles into the national spotlight, with Kenyans watching to see which faction ultimately claims the soul of the party founded by Raila Odinga.
