Eyes on Sifuna, Osotsi and Babu Owino as ODM holds tense NEC
Politics
By
BBC
| Feb 11, 2026
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is bracing for a potentially tense National Executive Council (NEC) meeting amid fears it could be used to discipline or expel senior party officials.
The NEC meeting is scheduled for this morning in Mombasa, ahead of the party’s Coast delegates conference later in the day.
The gathering is reportedly targeting members who oppose a proposed political merger or cooperation with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). It follows weeks of intense internal tussles, with rival factions clashing over the party’s future direction.
The NEC is ODM’s top decision-making body between National Delegates Conferences. It sets party policy, oversees discipline, approves coalitions and provides strategic direction. The council comprises the party leader, deputy leaders, secretary-general, chairperson, elected governors, senators, MPs, representatives of special interest groups, and other national leadership officials. Its decisions carry great weight and can shape the party’s political posture nationwide.
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Party insiders told The Standard that party leader Oburu Oginga will convene the NEC to restore what they consider order in the party.
However, by yesterday evening, it remained unclear whether the meeting would proceed amid fears that disciplinary action against perceived rebels could deepen divisions.
The standoff stems from two parallel grassroots mobilisation initiatives, which have exposed sharp splits within the party. ODM Secretary-General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and other leaders recently launched the “Linda Mwananchi” tours, which began in Busia County last Sunday.
The initiative aims to engage ordinary Kenyans on governance, the rising cost of living, and the party’s political direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This is about listening to wananchi, not imposing positions on them,” Sifuna said. “ODM was built on consultation and grassroots engagement and that is what Linda Mwananchi represents.”
The Busia event attracted political heavyweights, including Siaya Governor James Orengo and the tour is expected to cover several regions.
The “Linda Mwananchi” campaign runs alongside a rival outreach, “Linda Ground,” led by ODM leadership under Oburu and Chairperson Gladys Wanga in counties including Kisumu, Kakamega and Busia. Sifuna has publicly distanced himself from the “Linda Ground” activities, saying they were organised and funded outside official party channels.
“I am not involved in the planning or financing of those events. As secretary-general, I cannot be associated with activities whose funding and structure are unclear,” he stated.
The parallel tours underscore a deeper ideological and strategic split within ODM over whether to cooperate with or merge into UDA or remain independent and field a presidential candidate in 2027.
The divisions intensified following the death of long-time party leader Raila Odinga. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has escalated tensions by calling for Sifuna’s expulsion, accusing him of working against the party.
The potential expulsions may not target Sifuna alone, as those working closely with him, including Osotsi, could also face disciplinary action.
Osotsi has emerged as a strong voice opposing expulsions and unilateral decisions, warning that such moves could fracture the party.
Political analysts say the NEC meeting will test ODM’s commitment to internal democracy and determine whether the party emerges united or splinters into competing factions. Moses Ombayo warned: “Expelling senior leaders would deepen divisions and hand political advantage to ODM’s rivals.”