The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) summons its legions for a high-stakes National Delegates Convention in March, setting the stage for a ruthless 2027 electoral offensive.

The war drums are beating in Orange House. In a decisive move to consolidate power and purge internal dissent, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced a National Delegates Convention (NDC) scheduled for March 27, 2026, in Nairobi. This gathering is not merely a procedural formality; it is the launchpad for the party’s 2027 general election strategy, designed to reclaim its position as Kenya’s premier political juggernaut.

The decision was hammered out during a tense National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa, chaired by Party Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga. The stakes could not be higher. With the political landscape shifting under the feet of the current administration, ODM is moving to position itself as the government-in-waiting. The NDC will be the arena where the party ratifies key decisions, including the controversial restructuring of its top brass.

Purging the Rebels

The backdrop to this convention is a party in the throes of a ruthless internal cleanup. The NEC meeting confirmed the ouster of the "rebel faction," a group of high-profile members including the former Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and Winnie Odinga. These figures, once central to the party’s youth mobilization, have been accused of undermining the party leadership and flirting with rival coalitions.

Their removal signals a return to party discipline and a consolidation of loyalty around Dr. Oburu Oginga. "We cannot go into a war with soldiers who are shooting at their own generals," a senior party official remarked on condition of anonymity. The NDC is expected to endorse a new lineup of loyalists who will spearhead the 2027 campaign, ensuring that the party speaks with one voice.

• Strategic Direction: The convention will unveil a new manifesto focused on economic liberation and devolution, countering the narrative of the ruling coalition.
• Grassroots Mobilization: Delegates from every county will be tasked with reactivating the grassroots networks that have been dormant since the last election cycle.

The Road to 2027

As the delegates converge on Nairobi in March, the message will be clear: ODM is back, and it is hungry for power. The convention will likely serve as a show of force, with thousands of supporters painting the city orange. For the ruling coalition, this is a warning shot across the bow.

The 2027 election may seem distant to the casual observer, but in the corridors of power, the campaign has already begun. With the NDC, ODM is effectively putting the country on election footing, signaling that the battle for the soul of the nation is entering a new, more aggressive phase.