A faction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), branded “Linda Mwananchi” and led by Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino, has announced plans to hold a parallel National Delegates Conference (NDC) in Nairobi, escalating internal tensions within the party.
The group says the “People’s NDC” will provide an alternative platform for grassroots members who feel sidelined by the party’s top leadership. According to Sifuna, the move is driven by concerns that the official ODM structures have drifted away from the interests of ordinary supporters, with key decisions allegedly being made without broad consultation.
Babu Owino echoed the sentiments, insisting that the parallel gathering is not an act of rebellion but a “democratic correction” aimed at restoring accountability within the party. He argued that party members have a constitutional right to assemble and deliberate on the future of ODM, especially at a time when internal disagreements are becoming more visible.
The announcement comes just days before ODM’s official NDC, setting the stage for a potential showdown that could further expose divisions within one of Kenya’s most influential political parties. Political analysts warn that such parallel meetings risk weakening party unity ahead of future electoral contests.
However, organizers of the People’s NDC maintain that their intention is to strengthen, not fracture, ODM. They claim the forum will focus on policy direction, internal reforms, and re-engaging the party’s support base at the grassroots level.
As Nairobi braces for the twin events, attention now shifts to how the ODM leadership will respond—and whether the rival gatherings will lead to reconciliation or deepen the rift within the party.