The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued a formal notice convening a high-stakes Special National Delegates Convention (NDC) set for March 27 in Nairobi.

The convention marks a defining, post-Raila Odinga era moment for the opposition party as it navigates a deepening internal crisis and fierce legal battles over the leadership of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

The outcome of this convention will fundamentally dictate the political trajectory of the party, determining whether ODM aligns with the ruling Kenya Kwanza government or splinters under the weight of emerging reformist movements ahead of 2027.

The Sifuna Debacle

The formal notice was prominently issued by ODM Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo, acting in her controversial new capacity. On February 11, 2026, the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) dramatically resolved to relieve Edwin Sifuna of his duties as Secretary General, citing gross indiscipline and internal friction. Sifuna had aggressively opposed a faction within the party pushing for long-term collaboration with President William Ruto's administration.

However, the ouster has plunged the party into legal chaos. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) halted Sifuna's removal, legally restraining the Registrar of Political Parties from gazetting the NEC's resolution. Defiant, Sifuna insists he remains the duly elected Secretary General. Capitalizing on the growing disillusionment among Gen Z voters, he has launched the 'Linda Mwananchi' movement, which analysts warn could pose a devastating third-force threat to ODM's traditional support base.

• Special NDC scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026, from 9:00 am in Nairobi.
• PPDT temporarily halted the legal gazettement of Edwin Sifuna's ouster.
• Sifuna's 'Linda Mwananchi' movement threatens to fracture the party's youth voting bloc.

Defining the Future

The upcoming NDC is ODM's highest decision-making organ. It will draw senior officials, including the NEC, governors, parliamentary group members, and grassroots branch chairpersons from across the 47 counties. The delegates are expected to ratify pivotal Central Management Committee resolutions, including pre-election coalition negotiations and the party's official stance on government cooperation.

With Omanyo asserting that the party will continue its legacy with or without Sifuna, the battle lines are rigidly drawn. The NDC must navigate the treacherous waters of keeping the party unified while managing the explosive generational shift demanding absolute opposition against the state's tax and economic policies.

"The legacy of the party is on trial; the delegates must now decide whether to protect the old guard or adapt to a restless new generation of voters."