ODM Special Delegates Conference proceeds as police cordon off Linda Mwananchi venue
NAIROBI — Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement is set for a rare show of internal division on Friday as two parallel delegates’ meetings take place in Nairobi with the Linda Mwananchi faction in running battles with the polie
On one side, the party’s official Special Delegates Conference (SDC) is on at the A.S.K Showground, bringing together leaders aligned to party leader Oburu Oginga and regional blocs such as the Coast.
On the other, a rival faction led by Edwin Sifuna, James Orengo, Babu Owino and Godfrey Osotsi is set to hold a parallel meeting dubbed the “People’s National Delegates Conference” at Ufungamano House, but the venue has been cordoned off by police.
The twin meetings are expected to expose growing tensions within ODM, with each side pushing a different vision for the party’s future.
At the official conference, Coast leaders led by Abdulswamad Nassir have already signalled unity and discipline after holding a pre-conference breakfast meeting.
“We aligned on our shared vision, strengthened our resolve, and reaffirmed the unity and discipline that define ODM,” Mr Nassir said ahead of the meeting.
The A.S.K conference is the party’s recognised decision-making forum, where delegates are expected to endorse key positions and shape ODM’s political direction.
Meanwhile, the Ufungamano gathering is being positioned as a reform platform.
Leaders in the faction have been pushing for greater internal democracy and inclusivity within ODM structures.
Although outcomes from both meetings remain uncertain, the presence of senior figures at parallel events signals a defining moment for the party.
For a first-time observer, ODM relies on national delegates’ conferences to make major decisions. Holding two such meetings at the same time points to deeper internal disagreements.
As the meetings get underway, attention will be on whether ODM can maintain unity or whether the parallel conferences will deepen divisions within one of Kenya’s main opposition parties.
To advertise with us, send an email to advert@avdeltanews.world