As the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) heads into its highly anticipated Special National Delegates Convention (NDC) on Friday, March 27, 2026, cracks within the party continue to widen, even as Tana River senator Danson Mungatana insists the process will mark a new era of internal democracy.

In an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, March 26, 2026, Mungatana expressed confidence that the upcoming convention will be the most democratic in the Orange party’s history, attributing this to shifting power dynamics within ODM.

“The one thing that I know from experience, this will be the most democratic elections and open elections that ODM has ever had,” he said.

The senator linked the anticipated openness to the reduced dominance of the late party leader Raila Odinga, arguing that the exit or reduced centrality of a powerful figure often creates room for broader participation and dissent.

“Whenever a prominent personality exits from a political party, space is created for dissent. Space is created for more open expression of opinions. When there’s a domineering personality, space is squeezed,” he noted.

According to Mungatana, this evolving landscape should encourage leaders to engage constructively rather than fragment the party.

Parallel convention deepens crisis

However, the ODM unity narrative faces a serious test. A faction under the banner of Linda Mwananchi, associated with leaders such as Godfrey Osotsi and Nairobi senator and embattled faction’s Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, has announced plans to hold a parallel people’s dialogue convention on the same day.

Osotsi has openly criticised the official NDC, calling it illegitimate.

“On 27 March, we are holding an ODM people’s dialogue convention, which is going to run parallel to the NDC organised by the Linda Ground group,” Osotsi said.

“Linda Mwananchi, we have made a decision that we are not going to participate in the National Delegates Convention that has been convened and organised by the Linda Ground Group because that NDC is illegal, undemocratic, and some of the ODM members have gone to court to question the illegitimacy and also illegality of that NDC.”

The Linda Mwananchi faction claims it commands influence in 35 counties and has accused the rival Linda Ground group of preparing a list of fake delegates for the official meeting.

This standoff sets the stage for a dramatic showdown that could redefine the party’s future.

Despite the escalating tensions, Mungatana dismissed the idea of boycotts or parallel meetings, urging dissenting voices to participate within the party framework.

“Some people think that when we disagree, you need to leave the family. You don’t need to. Put your point strongly. If the vote accepts you, fine. If it rejects you, then you stay in the family,” he said.

He emphasised that politics should not be treated as a do-or-die affair, encouraging leaders to accept outcomes gracefully.

“If you see yourself as able to offer leadership, present yourself. If the people say no, just work with the guy who has been elected.”

High stakes for ODM’s future

The March 27 NDC, officially convened in Nairobi under the party constitution, is expected to address key issues, including internal elections and coalition strategies ahead of future political alignments.

Mungatana hinted that outcomes from the convention could influence broader political negotiations.

“Whoever comes to negotiate would be a partner, because that is critical,” he said.

Still, the emergence of rival conventions raises concerns about legitimacy, unity, and the party’s ability to maintain cohesion.

The veteran legislator maintained that participation, not protest, is the essence of democracy.

“When you are there, people do not criticise you. When you are not there is when they finish you,” he remarked.

As ODM approaches this pivotal moment, the competing conventions show a deeper ideological and leadership struggle, one that could either strengthen internal democracy or fracture one of Kenya’s most influential political parties even as the future of Sifuna, Osotsi and other Linda Mwananchi faction remains uncertain.