The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga on Tuesday chaired his inaugural Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting since assuming office, ratifying key decisions made by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Central Committee.
Addressing the press outside Parliament after the meeting, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed announced that the PG had endorsed the decision to hold a National Delegates Convention (NDC) on March 27, 2026. A formal 21-day notice for the event will be issued on Friday, March 6.
The PG also approved a move allowing Dr. Oburu to initiate negotiations with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in a bid to form a strategic alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election. However, Junet stressed that ODM’s parliamentary positions remain non-negotiable.
“We want to tell the parties we are associating with that we are not negotiating on our positions in Parliament,” Junet stated.
Upcoming PG Session
Junet further revealed that a broad-based PG meeting will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Tuesday, March 10, where members will receive a report on the party’s 10-point agenda. Among the priorities highlighted were compensation for protest victims and an increase in devolution funds.
Strengthening ODM Amid Divisions
During the session, members agreed to strengthen ODM ahead of any coalition arrangements. This marks Dr. Oburu’s first PG meeting since his appointment as party leader following the death of his brother, Raila Odinga.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of internal divisions within ODM. One faction, the Linda Mwananchi movement led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, supports the “one term” narrative. The opposing Linda Ground faction, aligned with Oburu, backs a broad-based arrangement and is pushing for a coalition with the ruling party.
Attention now shifts to the upcoming NDC, which is expected to determine whether the Sifuna-led faction will participate and influence the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
