Major Blow to Oburu Odinga as ODM County Leaders Block Emergency Meetings

A fresh internal standoff has emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), dealing a major political setback to deputy party leader Oburu Odinga.

A group of ODM county branch chairpersons has firmly declared that no emergency meetings, political negotiations, or high-level consultations should take place before the party convenes its National Delegates Convention (NDC).

The leaders, speaking under the collective voice “Sauti za ODM za Kaunti”, insisted that the NDC remains the highest decision-making organ of the party. 

According to them, any attempt to bypass it undermines ODM’s constitution and threatens internal democracy at a very sensitive moment in the party’s history.

This strong declaration is widely viewed as a direct pushback against recent behind-the-scenes manoeuvres within ODM’s top leadership. 

Although Oburu Odinga has not publicly confirmed convening emergency meetings, he has been closely linked to ongoing consultations aimed at stabilising the party following the death of longtime leader Raila Odinga.

The loss of Raila Odinga has left a leadership vacuum that has exposed deep-seated tensions within ODM. Questions around succession, political alliances, and the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 General Election have intensified. 

In this environment, some senior leaders are reportedly pushing for quick decisions to keep the party united and politically relevant.

However, the county chairpersons argue that speed should not come at the expense of procedure. They warned that making binding political decisions without consulting delegates would alienate grassroots members who form the backbone of the party.

“The strength of ODM has always come from collective decision-making,” the leaders said in their statement. 

“No individual or small group should assume the authority of the National Delegates Convention.”

They stressed that the NDC is not just a formality but a constitutional requirement that gives members from across the country a voice in shaping the party’s future. 

According to them, skipping this process risks weakening ODM at a time when rival political parties are making renewed efforts to penetrate its traditional strongholds.