By Andrew Kariuki
Police on Friday morning blocked access to Ufungamano House in Nairobi, preventing a faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) allied to Edwin Sifuna from holding a planned parallel National Delegates Convention (NDC).
Delegates who arrived early at the venue, including activist Bob Njagi, were turned away by officers who had cordoned off the entrance. A heavy security presence was deployed in the area, with water cannons stationed around the venue despite no signs of protests.
In a self-recorded video, Njagi criticised the move, saying police had received instructions from higher authorities to stop the meeting.
“The officers have clearly told us that there’s not going to be a meeting today… they have instructions from above to stop any gathering from happening. This is a breach of Article 37 that gives people the right to peacefully assemble and associate freely,” he said.
He added that the group would not be intimidated and called on supporters to turn up in large numbers.
The meeting had been organised by the Linda Mwananchi faction, which includes Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi and Siaya Governor James Orengo, among others.
The standoff comes amid a growing split within ODM, with a rival faction—commonly referred to as the Linda Ground group—set to hold an official Special Delegates Convention (SDC) at Jamhuri Grounds.
Leaders allied to the Linda Ground faction, including ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and Chairperson Gladys Wanga, have dismissed the parallel convention, insisting that only one official delegates’ meeting is recognised by the party.
The unfolding events highlight deepening divisions within ODM, raising concerns over internal cohesion and the direction of the party ahead of key political decisions.
