Oburu calls off ODM Kisumu delegates' elections

In a letter to the Chairperson of the ODM National Elections Coordination Committee released on Thursday evening, party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga cited intelligence reports pointing to a polarised political environment. 

"Following the prevailing polarized environment informed by intelligence, I have made a decision to inform you to cancel the elections slated for tomorrow Friday 6th March 2026. Kindly comply and inform the concerned parties," the letter read.

The elections were aimed at selecting party national officials in Kisumu County to prepare for future political activities.

The statement comes amid heightened internal divisions within ODM, which have seen the party split along ideological lines.

One faction, the Linda Mwananchi movement led by embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, supports the ‘one term’ narrative, seeking President William Ruto's ouster from office in the 2027 polls. 

The opposing Linda Ground faction, aligned with Dr. Oburu, backs a broad-based arrangement and is pushing for a coalition with the ruling party.

The two factions have differed ideologically on how the party should be run, including the 10-point agenda that shaped the broad-based arrangement that was signed by President Ruto and the late longterm ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

Sifuna has been a critic of how the 10-point agenda has been progressing, faulting what he describes as the lack of effectiveness by its implementation committee chaired by ODM's Agnes Zani. The committee is expected to present a progress report on March 7, 2026.

"The committee is now ready with a report which will be given on March 7, among other reports. March 7 also coincides with the signing of the MoU," Zani told the press on March 4, 2026.

The Linda Ground faction, however, downplayed concerns about the timeline, stating that the process has no expiry date.

"I want to correct the statement that the 10-point agenda is ending on March 7. The agenda is moving this nation forward the way it was discussed and canvassed. It does not have an end date. Looking at issues in the NADCO report, corruption, strengthening devolution and debt, these cannot have an end date," ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga stated on March 4, 2026.

Attention also shifts to the upcoming Special National Delegates Convention scheduled for March 27, 2026, which is expected to shape the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 elections.