ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga has confirmed that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino are eligible to attend the party’s upcoming National Delegates Convention (NDC).
Speaking in an interview, Wanga said the two leaders qualify as delegates by virtue of their positions’ within the party, dismissing speculation that they would force their way into the meeting.
“Sifuna and Babu are members of the NDC. Sifuna, as Nairobi Senator, is a delegate. Babu, as a member of the NEC and MP, is also a delegate. They are not going to storm; they can attend, and we hope they will,” she said.
Parallel NDC Dismissed
Wanga also downplayed plans by a breakaway faction under “Linda Mwananchi” to hold a parallel convention, insisting that the ODM Constitution recognizes only one official NDC.
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She maintained that the party remains largely united despite pockets of dissent following recent leadership changes.
“We lost a leader and there was bound to be some shakiness, but we moved quickly, got a new party leader whom we will ratify on Friday, and consolidated our leadership. The majority of the party is solid,” she said.
Delegates, Agenda and Coalition Plans
The ODM chairperson revealed that attendance at the convention will be capped at 3,000 delegates, as stipulated in the party constitution.
According to Wanga, the NDC will focus on ratifying resolutions made during a previous National Governing Council meeting in Mombasa and granting the party leader authority to begin negotiations for pre-election coalitions ahead of 2027.
“The constitution requires a maximum of 3,000 delegates. Many people want to attend,” she said.
ODM Leadership Warns Against Division
ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir echoed Wanga’s sentiments, warning against attempts to destabilize the party while expressing confidence in its resilience.
“There are people who wish to weaken us, but ODM has survived everything else. What else is there?” he posed.
Nassir noted that internal disagreements are not new within the party, even during the tenure of its former leader Raila Odinga.
“Even when Baba was alive, people fell out for various reasons. It didn’t mean the party collapsed. ODM has existed for over 20 years and remains strong because of its structures,” he said.
High-Stakes Convention Ahead
The remarks come amid heightened political activity within ODM as the party prepares for its NDC on Friday- a crucial meeting expected to shape leadership decisions and coalition strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
