ODM delegates’ conference to proceed after tribunal ruling
By Zipporah Ngwatu, March 26, 2026The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has declined to issue temporary orders stopping the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Special Delegates Conference (SDC) that is scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026.
Some members of the ODM party, including Vincent Chepkwony and four others, filed different petitions seeking orders blocking the Friday, March 27, 2026, meeting.
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the acting chairperson Gad Gathu-led bench declined to issue the conservatory orders, stating that there was no basis to grant them.
According to the tribunal, the petitioners had not demonstrated that granting the suspension of the meeting would protect their rights or prevent irreparable harm.
“The applicants have failed to show that the cases would be rendered nugatory,” the tribunal ruled.
Chepkwony argued that there was no National Delegates Convention (NDC) that was held to elect the Interim Party Leader, Oburu Oginga, required under the party’s constitution after the death of the late Raila Odinga on October 15, 2025.
He contended that some members purporting to constitute the Central Committee and National Executive Committee (NEC) had held meetings and made decisions, including purported resolutions on October 16, 2025, and February 11, 2026, without proper constitutional authority.
“That on October 16, 2025, some members of ODM constituting themselves as the Central Committee of ODM hurriedly met and purportedly passed a resolution installing Oburu Odinga as the interim party leader,” part of the application reads.
Chepkwony, a live ODM member, sought declarations that the interim party leader and current national officials were holding office illegally, that NEC and Central Committee decisions were null and void, and that the SDC should be suspended pending the hearing of their cases.
“A declaration that any decisions made by the National Executive Committee and Central Committee of the ODM party as currently constituted are illegal and cannot bind the Orange Democratic Movement Party or any of their members,” part of the application reads.
“That an order quashing the decisions made by the individuals constituting themselves as the National Executive Committee and Central Committee of ODM appointing Hon. Dr Oburu Odinga as the Interim Party Leader and the resolution(s) made on February 11, 2026.”