Heavy police presence has sealed off Ufungamano House, blocking access to a planned meeting by the Linda Mwananchi faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The deployment comes as the party faces a defining moment and its most serious internal crisis following the death of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga, in October 2025.

According to videos circulating online seen by the People’s Daily Digital on March 27, 2026, ahead of the National Delegates Convention (NDC), a number of uniformed officers were deployed at the entrance, preventing members of the group from accessing the building.

This comes amid growing tensions within the outfit, which has seen internal disagreements over leadership and direction.

Parallel meeting

Headed publicly by figures such as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, and Senator Godfrey Osotsi, this group has publicly refused to join the formal NDC but instead declared its own people’s dialogue convention to take place on the same date at Ufungamano House.

Currently, the police officers are blocking journalists and supporters from accessing the premises.

The ODM National Delegates Conference (NDC), on the other hand, is being held at Jamhuri Grounds in Kibra, Nairobi, with a number of delegates currently attending.

PPDT Orders

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) on March 26, 2026, 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.

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.