A full-blown political storm is unfolding within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after rival factions confirmed they will hold parallel National Delegates Conventions (NDCs) on March 27, deepening divisions in one of Kenya’s largest political parties.
The Linda Mwananchi faction has declared it will proceed with its own “People’s NDC” and will boycott a separate convention organised by a group allied to Oburu Oginga, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown that could redefine the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a tense press briefing on Wednesday, leaders aligned to the Linda Mwananchi camp dismissed the rival NDC as illegal and unconstitutional, insisting they neither recognise nor will attend the Oburu-led meeting.
The opposing Linda Ground faction, however, is pushing ahead with its own agenda, which includes ratifying a National Governing Council resolution on party leadership, reviewing a National Executive Committee resolution tied to Article 87 of the party constitution, and hosting an address by Oburu Oginga.
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The dispute has also taken a broader political angle, with Linda Mwananchi leaders accusing the government of attempting to exert control over key institutions. They cited the recent controversy at Nairobi Hospital, where senior officials were arrested over alleged mismanagement, claiming the incident reflects a troubling pattern of interference that could further inflame political tensions in the country.
Siaya Governor James Orengo issued a strongly worded warning over the state of political discourse, criticising the rising use of insults among leaders and urging adherence to constitutional principles on leadership and integrity.
He said that state officers are required to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds dignity and national unity, describing recent remarks from the presidency as “verbal diarrhoea” that could amount to hate speech.
Orengo’s sentiments were echoed by Babu Owino, who questioned whether the country’s leadership was drifting into chaos, warning that emotionally driven decisions at the highest level could have serious consequences for national stability.
On the endorsement of Winnie Odinga as ODM’s deputy party leader, the Linda Mwananchi faction appeared largely unconcerned, stating that the matter is not central to their current focus and affirming her democratic right to make independent political decisions.
The group instead signaled a shift toward grassroots mobilization, announcing plans to begin nationwide public engagement from March 22, 2026, in what is seen as an effort to rally support ahead of the contested NDC.
