Catherine Omanyo announces NDC date as ODM squabbles escalate
By Francis Muli, February 22, 2026Busia County Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo has cited the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Constitution to clarify the procedure for convening the party’s National Delegates Conference (NDC), ahead of a planned meeting on March 27, 2026.
In a statement on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Omanyo said the party’s constitution clearly outlines how the NDC should be called, including the issuance of notice and publication requirements.
“The ODM Constitution is clear on how the NDC should be convened. The notice and agenda convening the meeting shall be sent out by the Secretary General, failing which any other party official specifically appointed for that purpose by the National Executive Committee at least twenty-one days before such date,” she stated.
She added that the notice must also be published on the party’s website and/or in at least one English daily newspaper with wide national circulation, or broadcast through at least one leading Swahili radio station.
Omanyo confirmed that the party will hold its National Delegates Conference on March 27, 2026, in line with the constitutional provisions.
The NDC is ODM’s highest decision-making organ and is expected to deliberate on key party matters.
Sifuna debacle
Under normal circumstances, according to the ODM constitution, an NDC should be announced by the party secretary general, in this case Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
However, ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC), on February 11, 2026, sought to remove Sifuna as the secretary general of the party, a move that was halted by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT).
PPDT also barred ODM from publishing the resolution in the Kenya Gazette, a move that would have formalised and effected his removal.
The conservatory orders will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of a notice of application filed by Sifuna challenging his removal as the party’s SG by the ODM NEC, which was made on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
“That pending the hearing and determination of this instant application, inter partes, this Honourable Tribunal hereby issues orders staying the implementation of the resolution made by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Orange Democratic Movement Party (ODM) on February 11, 2026, to remove Edwin Sifuna as the Secretary General of the Party,” acting PPDT Chairperson Gad Gathu ordered.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this instant application, inter partes, this Honourable Tribunal hereby issues an order restraining the respondents (ODM and the Registrar of Political Parties) from publishing in the Kenya Gazette the resolution made on February 11, 2026, to remove Edwin Sifuna as the Secretary General of the Party.”