A dramatic scene unfolded in Nairobi on Friday, March 27, after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino outmaneuvered a heavy police presence to access Ufungamano House for a parallel ODM meeting.
The two leaders, accompanied by members of the Linda Mwananchi movement, managed to enter the historic venue despite tight security that had been deployed early in the morning to block their access.
Their successful entry sparked excitement among hundreds of supporters who had gathered outside, many of whom later forced their way into the premises.
The situation comes amid an intensifying leadership wrangle within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with rival factions holding separate National Delegates Convention (NDC) meetings.
The situation comes amid an intensifying leadership wrangle within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with rival factions holding separate National Delegates Convention (NDC) meetings.
While Sifuna’s team convened at Ufungamano House, another faction aligned to Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga gathered at Jamhuri Grounds.
At Ufungamano House, Sifuna was joined by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, alongside several ODM MPs opposed to Oburu’s leadership and the party’s current direction.
At Ufungamano House, Sifuna was joined by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, alongside several ODM MPs opposed to Oburu’s leadership and the party’s current direction.
The group maintained that their meeting represented the legitimate voice of the party.
Sifuna used the platform to criticise the process that elevated Oburu to a leadership role, questioning whether any democratic election had taken place.
Sifuna used the platform to criticise the process that elevated Oburu to a leadership role, questioning whether any democratic election had taken place.
He maintained that party members had not been given an opportunity to vote, terming the rival NDC illegitimate.
Governor Orengo, in a fiery address, declared that he was ready to defend the rights of Kenyans and would not allow police interference with their gathering.
Governor Orengo, in a fiery address, declared that he was ready to defend the rights of Kenyans and would not allow police interference with their gathering.
He warned security officers against disrupting what he described as a lawful assembly, emphasizing the constitutional right to peaceful meetings.
The political tension was further heightened by reports that some ODM officials allied to the Linda Mwananchi faction had initially been blocked from accessing the venue.
The political tension was further heightened by reports that some ODM officials allied to the Linda Mwananchi faction had initially been blocked from accessing the venue.
Sifuna urged supporters to assist those locked out, insisting that the movement would not be intimidated.
Meanwhile, at Jamhuri Grounds, the rival ODM faction held its convention attended by senior leaders, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and other top officials.
Meanwhile, at Jamhuri Grounds, the rival ODM faction held its convention attended by senior leaders, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and other top officials.
The meeting is expected to formalise major party decisions, including possible changes to key leadership positions.
The unfolding events have exposed deep divisions within ODM, raising concerns over the party’s unity as internal battles intensify.
The unfolding events have exposed deep divisions within ODM, raising concerns over the party’s unity as internal battles intensify.
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