Fresh claims have emerged over the financing and conduct of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Delegates Convention (NDC), raising questions about internal party democracy and possible external influence.
According to a report by the Sunday Standard, the convention, held in Nairobi, brought together more than 6,000 delegates, with each allegedly receiving facilitation fees of up to Sh10,000.
Delegates from Nairobi are said to have received about Sh2,000, while overall spending on the event is estimated to have run into tens of millions of shillings.
The report further alleges that the high-profile gathering, marked by elaborate staging including a red carpet and coordinated logistics, was partly bankrolled by State House.
An unnamed insider claimed the convention was strategically choreographed to restructure the party’s leadership by sidelining perceived rebels and installing officials aligned with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and President William Ruto.
These allegations, if substantiated, could deepen political tensions within ODM, a party historically led by Raila Odinga.
The developments raise concerns among observers about whether the party’s autonomy is under threat and whether internal decisions are being influenced by external political interests.
Critics argue that the reported financial outlay and alleged inducements undermine the credibility of party processes, especially at a time when political realignments are reshaping Kenya’s opposition landscape.
Questions are also being raised about transparency in party funding and the broader implications for multi-party democracy.
However, there has been no official response from ODM leadership or State House regarding the claims. It remains unclear whether the reported payouts were standard facilitation allowances or part of a broader political strategy.
The controversy is likely to fuel further debate over the future direction of ODM and its role in Kenya’s evolving political environment.