Linda Mwananchi faction to hold parallel ODM NDC on March 27

Leaders of the Linda Mwananchi movement have said they will hold a People's National Delegates Convention (NDC) on March 27, running concurrently with the one organized by the Linda Ground group of the party.

Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, the leaders maintained that they will not attend the NDC scheduled by the Dr. Oburu Oginga-led team on the same date, terming it illegal and unconstitutional. 

The agenda for the Linda Ground faction's NDC comprises ratification of a National Governing Council (NGC) resolution on party leadership, consideration of a NEC resolution on Article 87 of the party constitution and an address by party leader, Dr. Oburu Oginga. 

The Linda Mwananchi group also accused the government of attempting to take control of key institutions, citing the recent controversy surrounding the alleged takeover attempt at Nairobi Hospital, where senior managers were arrested and charged over the hospital's mismanagement. 

During the briefing, Siaya Governor James Orengo condemned the rising cases of political insults among leaders, terming the conduct as inappropriate and calling for decorum in leadership. 

"The Constitution on leadership and integrity requires State officers, which includes the President, to conduct themselves in a manner that brings honour to the nation and dignity to the office that the state officer occupies," he stated. 

"In the Articles that relate to freedom of expression, our Constitution frowns on acts of hate speech and a lot of what the President talked about, the verbal diarrhoea on his part can be described as hate speech. Article 131 requires him to promote Constitutional values and principles and he should bring unity to the country." 

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino echoed Governor Orengo's remarks, noting that such conduct is unbecoming of the Head of State. 

"Must leadership be full of goonism, violence, insults? As young leaders, we want to condemn the conduct unbecoming of the leaders especially at the presidency level. We don't expect the president to behave in a way that he did yesterday," the lawmaker stated. 

"The moment you get annoyed as a president, what decisions will you make? And those decisions, your guess is as good as mine that it can lead to chaos."

The leaders also addressed the endorsement of Winnie Odinga as ODM's deputy party leader, saying they are not focused on the matter and that she has a democratic right to make her own decision.

They noted that they will embark on engaging members of the public from March 22, 2026.