ODM Postpones Kisumu Delegates’ Elections Amid Internal Party Divisions

By : Mweru Mbugua 

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has postponed its Kisumu County party delegates’ elections that had been scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2026

In a letter addressed to the Chairperson of the ODM National Elections Coordination Committee on Thursday evening, party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga directed that the elections be cancelled, citing intelligence reports indicating a highly polarized 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 stated

Dr. Oginga did not announce a new date for the elections. The exercise was intended to select party national officials in Kisumu County as part of preparations for future political activities

The postponement comes at a time when ODM is experiencing significant internal divisions. The party has split into two factions with differing political approaches ahead of the 2027 general election

One faction, the Linda Mwananchi movement, led by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, advocates for the “one-term” narrative and is pushing for President William Ruto to be voted out of office in the 2027 polls

The rival Linda Ground faction, which is aligned with Dr. Oginga, supports a broad-based political arrangement and is advocating for cooperation with the ruling party

The factions have also clashed over the implementation of the 10-point agenda that underpins the broad-based arrangement signed by President Ruto and the late long-serving ODM party leader Raila Odinga

Sifuna has criticized the progress of the agenda, questioning the effectiveness of its implementation committee chaired by ODM deputy leader Agnes Zani. The committee is expected to present a progress report on March 7, 2026

Also read : ODM Announces Special Delegates Convention Amid Deepening Internal Rift

“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 said during a press briefing on March 4

However, members of the Linda Ground faction have dismissed concerns over the timeline of the agenda, saying the process has no fixed deadline

ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga noted that issues contained in the agenda, including corruption, strengthening devolution, and managing national debt, are long-term national priorities

“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,” Wanga said

Attention is now shifting to the upcoming Special National Delegates Convention scheduled for March 27, 2026, where the party is expected to deliberate on its political direction ahead of the 2027 elections