Speaking on Friday, March 27, at Ufungamano House, Sifuna dismissed the ongoing National Delegates Convention (NDC) at Jamhuri Grounds, terming it unconstitutional and lacking legitimacy.
The embattled ODM Secretary General questioned both the process and timing that led to Oburu’s elevation following the death of longtime party leader Raila Odinga in October 2025.
Sifuna revealed that he was caught off guard by the leadership changes, noting that he had been out of the country at the time.
Sifuna revealed that he was caught off guard by the leadership changes, noting that he had been out of the country at the time.
According to him, he had travelled to India alongside other leaders to facilitate the return of Raila’s body to Kenya, only to find that key decisions regarding succession had already been made in his absence.
He expressed concern that some individuals within the party appeared to have begun planning the transition even before the late leader’s body arrived in the country.
He expressed concern that some individuals within the party appeared to have begun planning the transition even before the late leader’s body arrived in the country.
This, he argued, raised serious ethical and procedural questions about how Oburu assumed the leadership role.
The Nairobi senator further insisted that ODM’s constitution requires a structured and democratic electoral process to fill such a position.
The Nairobi senator further insisted that ODM’s constitution requires a structured and democratic electoral process to fill such a position.
He maintained that no delegates had voted to endorse Oburu, making the move irregular and contrary to the party’s long-standing democratic principles.
In a strongly worded statement, Sifuna questioned the legitimacy of the decision, asking party members who authorized the appointment and whether any formal voting had taken place.
In a strongly worded statement, Sifuna questioned the legitimacy of the decision, asking party members who authorized the appointment and whether any formal voting had taken place.
He emphasized that leadership should only be determined through a transparent process involving duly elected delegates.
Sifuna also pointed to the grassroots elections conducted across the country, stating that he personally participated and was elected as a delegate in Westlands.
Sifuna also pointed to the grassroots elections conducted across the country, stating that he personally participated and was elected as a delegate in Westlands.
He argued that the presence of elected delegates at Ufungamano House validated their gathering, which they dubbed the “People’s ODM NDC.”
In contrast, he dismissed the parallel convention taking place along Ngong Road as illegitimate. Using his authority as Secretary General, Sifuna went a step further to declare the event null and void, insisting that it did not meet the constitutional requirements of the party.
In contrast, he dismissed the parallel convention taking place along Ngong Road as illegitimate. Using his authority as Secretary General, Sifuna went a step further to declare the event null and void, insisting that it did not meet the constitutional requirements of the party.
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