ODM party leader Oburu Oginga secured a pyrrhic win on Thursday allowing his Orange faction to proceed with the contested Special Delegates Convention (SDC) amid intense commotion that threatens to tear it apart.

The ruling by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) opened up the party to further power struggle and protracted court battles pitting rival factions of Linda Ground of Dr Oginga and Linda Mwananchi of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

While allowing the party to proceed with the SDC, the tribunal also handed Mr Sifuna a lifeline ordering that he substantively remains in office until internal dispute resolution mechanisms are exhausted.

Founding leader Raila Odinga’s long shadow held ODM together for nearly two decades, masking factional rivalries beneath the unifying banner of his name. Raila died in October last year.

But with that unifying figure gone, forever, the party faces its greatest existential test since its founding. Although the SDC offer Dr Oginga opportunity to stamp his authority and consolidate power, it opens up the party to more internal fights and court battles.

Mr Sifuna-led camp has already declared the convention illegal and unprocedurally called, citing Article 49 of the party’s constitution. Already, there are all indications that they would go to court to challenge any resolutions to be made by the delegates.

Also Read: Oburu resorts to mediation as he fights attempts to stop ODM Special Delegates Conference

Embattled ODM party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

The faction, that brings together Mr Sifuna, ODM co-deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi among other political leaders, has also announced a parallel delegates’ convention in Nairobi on Friday in a perceived direct confrontation with the Linda Ground.

The Article provides that a Special Delegates Convention shall be summoned by the Chairperson upon the decision of the National Executive Committee or upon a requisition in writing signed by at least one third of the delegates eligible to attend an Ordinary Session of the Convention.

It also provides that the notice and agenda convening the meeting shall be sent out by the Secretary General. The notice convening Friday’s SDC was issued by Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo.

Prof David Monda – a US based university lecturer and political analyst, notes that the SDC could plunge the outfit into protracted and potentially destructive legal battle.

“It has the potential to further split the party and lead to massive defection from ODM into the opposition as the 2027 elections draw near,” observes Prof Monda.

The fight for the soul of the party has become so fierce that it threatens to consume the outfit that has fielded a presidential candidate in the last four general elections.

All indications are that the party will for the first time not field a candidate. Dr Oginga and his allies have already shown their willingness to back President William Ruto. The party is, however, laying claim for the Deputy President slot. But DP Kithure Kindiki and his allies have countered he will not cede the position.

WhatsApp Image 2026-02-21 at 19.17.16 — ODM Leader Oburu Oginga at Linda Ground in Siaya County.

Photo credit: Pool

Also Read: ODM makes case at Tribunal - This is why we expelled Sifuna

At the centre of the infighting in the party is the power struggle to inherit Raila’s ODM and traditional support bases.

President Ruto’s re-election bid has also fueled the internal war in the party. Dr Oginga faction has declared support for Dr Ruto’s second term, while the Linda Mwananchi camp led by Mr Sifuna have turned into fierce critics of the broad-based government arrangement. They have vowed not to back Dr Ruto’s re-election.

Another fight to succeed Raila as Luo kingpin is also unfolding with top leaders angling to speak for the community.

Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, members of the Linda Mwananchi, seek to ride on anti-Ruto’s sentiment in their pursuit to endear themselves to the community.

While Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo are backing Dr Ruto for a second term amid jostling to win the endorsement of the community for their future political ambitions.

ODM party leader Dr Oburu Odinga and other top officials of the political outfit at Sameta grounds in Kisii county on January 25, 2026.

Photo credit: Ruth Mbula | Nation Media Group

Also Read: Parallel conventions and the Winnie Odinga factor - ODM Delegates dilemma

“What is in contention is whether or not we support the broad-based government. We willingly as a party, agreed to participate and be part of the broad-based government,” said Governor Wanga, who is also the National Chairman of ODM.

She admits that the absence of Mr Odinga has exposed the party to internal power struggle, even as she insists on the party’s strong grassroots presence going into 2027 contest.

“We have been through a difficult path, we have had a rough patch with the loss of our party leader Raila, and we are steadying the ship.”

“We will move into next year, and we will move into forming a government in the coming election, which is the intention of any political party. I want to ask our members, especially in the grassroots, to hold on there, let’s work hard, let’s work to retain our seats, and let’s work to gain more seats,” said Governor Wanga.

But ODM co-deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, a member of the Linda Mwananchi, said the SDC will divide the party even further, saying it should not be allowed to take place.

He termed the meeting as a coup and an illegal gathering by individuals interested in a forceful takeover of the party.

The lawmaker argued that the agenda of the special NDC points to officials who are hell bent on forcing themselves on the members and supporters of the party.

He said five counties are yet to conduct their elections and will be excluded from having delegates at the meeting hence disenfranchised.

Also Read: Inside plot to oust Osotsi as ODM deputy leader

ODM party leader Oburu Oginga (left) with deputy party leaders, Simba Arati and Godfrey Osotsi during the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.

Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group

He said the power struggle in the party can only be resolved through competitive elections where delegates decide who to lead the outfit.

“They have called a meeting to endorse themselves as they are all in acting capacity. This is not the NDC we wanted. The one we wanted would have given room for competitive elections,” said Senator Osotsi.

“But they are trying to force themselves on the people. This tells you they are not keen on uniting the party but are looking at self-preservation and that is why we went to court,” he added.

The Vihiga Senator accused the Linda Ground faction of frustrating mediation efforts that would have averted the current split in the party.

Mr Osotsi said the party had come up with a mediation team led by former Busia Senator Amos Wako to reconcile the warring parties. However, the efforts were thwarted by the Dr Oburu Oginga-led team which went ahead with the Mombasa NEC meeting even though it was to be put on hold until a truce was struck.

“We had agreed to put the Mombasa meeting on hold and give mediation a chance. However, Dr Oburu’s team went on with their plans, which culminated in the removal of Edwin Sifuna as the party’s secretary-general without any consultations,” Mr Osotsi said.

But Ms Wanga accused the Linda Mwananchi camp of double speak. She accused them of agitating for the SDC, hoping to use it to settle personal scores.

ODM chairperson, Gladys Wanga.

Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group

Also Read: Winnie Odinga endorsed as Oburu’s deputy in ODM leadership shake-up

“Their sudden opposition exposes their real motive: not the good of ODM, but their own political ambitions. The party will not be distracted by such theatrics. ODM remains united under its leadership, and any member who chooses to operate outside the party constitution forfeits their right to speak for the party,” she said.

The PPDT on Thursday said it would make further determination on some of the petitioned filed before it by members of ODM on April 1.

Some of the petitions have been filed by Mr Vincent Chepkwony, who wants major resolutions made by ODM following the death of Raila quashed.

The petitioner has raised legality questions on the membership of ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Central Management Committee (CMC).

Central Committee appointed Dr Oginga as the interim party leader on October 16, 2025, while NEC approved the planned NDC. NEC is also responsible for the sacking of Mr Sifuna.

“The complainant pleads that upon the demise of the late Raila Amollo Odinga, some members of ODM purporting to constitute themselves as the Central Committee hurriedly met on 16 October, 2025 and purported to pass a resolution installing Oburu Oginga as the interim party leader,” avers the petitioner.

It is the position of the petitioner that upon the death of Mr Odinga, no National Delegates Convention (NDC) was held by the party for purposes of electing Dr Oginga as the party leader.

Also Read: ODM on edge as NDC sparks rift amid legal challenge to March 27 meeting

He argues that Article 15 of the ODM Constitution provides that election of all national officials shall be conducted by the National Delegates Convention.

“Furthermore, none of the current National officials has either been elected or ratified to hold office by the NDC as provided for under Article 15 of the ODM Constitution.’

Further, the petitioner notes that some party members have held meetings, holding and purporting to be the Central Committee and NEC and proceeded to make major party decisions, including firing Mr Sifuna and approval of NDC.

“The complainant pleads that the resolutions were passed by an organ that is not legally recognized under the ODM Constitution and as such, any decisions or resolutions passed by the individuals are null and void for want of legality under the ODM Constitution.”

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mnyamori@ke.nationmedia.com