Former Nyakach MP Odoyo Owidi has weighed in on the contrasting National Delegates Conferences (NDC) held by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) this past Friday, describing the party as cohesive despite a small faction attempting to stage a parallel event.
Speaking on the sidelines of political discussions in Nairobi, Owidi dismissed claims of division within ODM, attributing the disruption to a “quartet” of rebels allegedly sponsored to cause confusion.
“The Orange Democratic Movement is not divided; there are only a few rebels—actually, a quartet. However, rebels can be found in every party, including DCP, Jubilee, Wiper, and UDA. The difference is that the rebels within ODM are sponsored,” he stated.
Owidi recounted that ODM’s official NDC, held at Jamhuri Grounds, attracted over 3,000 delegates from across the country.
In contrast, the rebel faction led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who attempted to organize a parallel conference at Ufungamano House, lacked both sufficient delegates and a coherent agenda.
According to Owidi, the rival gathering was largely symbolic, designed to grab media attention rather than advance meaningful party processes.
“In the end, reality dawned on them: they no longer hold any significant influence,” Owidi said, asserting that the so-called rebels eventually conceded defeat, though not before launching personal attacks and insults against ODM party leader, Dr. Oburu Odinga.
The former lawmaker emphasized that party unity remains intact, highlighting that isolated dissent should not be mistaken for a schism.
He urged Sifuna and other dissenting figures to accept their roles within the broader opposition framework, stressing the importance of solidarity for ODM’s continued relevance in Kenya’s political landscape.
“Now, Sifuna should take his rightful place behind the other leaders in the opposition,” Owidi added, underscoring the need for cohesion as ODM prepares for upcoming political engagements and electoral contests.
The contrasting events have sparked debate across political circles and social media, with observers noting that parallel NDCs are not uncommon in Kenyan politics but rarely succeed without substantial support.