A fresh political storm is brewing within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and the party’s acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo publicly clashed over the legitimacy of the upcoming National Delegates Conference (NDC) slated for March 27, 2026.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday, February 22, Owino outlined strict conditions under which he and members allied to the Linda Mwananchi faction would attend the highly anticipated meeting.
He insisted that the list of delegates must be audited individually before the conference takes place to ensure transparency and fairness.
The outspoken legislator further argued that the NDC would only be legitimate if it is formally convened by the party’s Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna.
According to Owino, any meeting called outside Sifuna’s authority would not qualify as a valid National Delegates Conference.
“We can only attend the NDC if the delegates are audited one by one and if the NDC is called by the Secretary General who is Edwin Sifuna. If Sifuna does not call the NDC, then it will not be an NDC. It will be a kangaroo meeting,” Owino stated.
He maintained that bypassing Sifuna in convening the conference would undermine the party’s constitution and internal governance structures.
Owino further claimed that some current office holders within the party did not strictly follow the laid-down procedures to assume their respective positions.
However, Omanyo, who was appointed acting Secretary General following Sifuna’s ouster, swiftly dismissed the MP’s assertions. Taking to her social media platforms, the Busia County Woman Representative defended the legitimacy of the planned NDC.
Omanyo stated that the party’s constitution clearly outlines the process of convening the National Delegates Conference and specifies who is mandated to do so.
She rejected claims that the meeting would be irregular, insisting that the party leadership is acting within its constitutional framework.
The public exchange underscores growing internal tensions within ODM ahead of the crucial March 27 conference.
Political observers note that the outcome of the NDC could significantly shape the party’s direction as the country gradually shifts focus toward the 2027 General Election.
With both factions holding firm positions, attention now turns to whether the party leadership will reconcile the differences or if the dispute will deepen divisions within one of Kenya’s leading political outfits.
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