ODM Linda Ground dismisses Linda Mwananchi’s parallel NDC as rift widens

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Linda Ground faction has dismissed plans by a rival wing to hold a parallel National Delegates Convention (NDC), insisting there will only be one legitimate gathering next Friday.

Addressing the press outside the party headquarters on Thursday, March 19, ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, alongside Deputy Secretary General and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo as well as Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, laughed off the Linda Mwananchi faction’s push for a separate convention.

The team confirmed that the party’s official NDC will be held at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi, rallying delegates from all 47 counties to attend.

"There will be only one NDC of the ODM happening on Jamhuri Grounds…there will be only one. ODM as an institution is 21 years old this year and ways to call an NDC are stipulated in the party Constitution. People are free to hold rallies, barazas but the NDC will only be one," Wanga stated.

"We welcome the members and delegates who have already been communicated to."

Wanga questioned the legitimacy of the Linda Mwananchi faction’s proposed convention, arguing that due process must be followed under the party constitution.

"The whole of last year, there was pressure to call for an NDC and the NEC sat and agreed to do it. An NDC is called by the Party's NEC and therefore anyone to claim so has to tell us which NEC met and decided on the NDC," Wanga pointed out.

"You must give a 21-day notice, which the party has given. NDCs are not for people to be invited, it's for a notice to be given by the party and the attendees are clearly stated as per the Constitution."

Junet echoed her sentiments, maintaining that only party organs have the authority to convene such a meeting.

"As the chair has said, this is a special NDC, which is only ratified by the decisions made by the NEC and the National Governing Council. You can't introduce another agenda. The party is going to have a special NDC now and an ordinary NDC at the end of the year when it is due," Junet stated.

The pushback comes amid growing divisions within the party, with the Linda Mwananchi wing, led by embattled Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, announcing plans to boycott the official convention.

The faction has also indicated it will organise its own “people’s NDC,” casting doubt on the legitimacy of the Jamhuri Grounds meeting.

"On the 27th, we're holding the people's National Delegates Convention (NDC) in Nairobi at a venue which we shall announce," Orengo stated in a press address on Wednesday.