Babu Owino, the Embakasi East MP, and Catherine Omanyo, the interim Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement, have publicly disagreed over the legitimacy of the party’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) scheduled for March 27, 2026.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday, February 22, Owino outlined conditions under which he and members of the Linda Mwananchi faction would participate in the meeting.
He insisted that delegates must undergo a thorough audit before the conference proceeds.
Babu Owino, Catherine Omanyo Differ on ODM National Delegates Conference. Photo: Courtesy.
He further maintained that the NDC must be convened by the party’s Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, arguing that any gathering not formally called by him would lack legitimacy and risk being viewed as irregular.
“We can only attend the NDC if the delegates are audited one by one and if the ndc is called by secretary general who is Edwin Sifuna. If Sifuna does not call theNDC, then it will not be an NDC. It will be a Kangaroo meeting,” Babu stated.
Babu Owino further argued that failure by Edwin Sifuna to formally convene the National Delegates Conference (NDC) would undermine the party’s constitutional order and institutional framework.
He maintained that the process must strictly adhere to procedural requirements, asserting that the legitimacy of current office holders save for the Secretary General was questionable.
In a swift rebuttal, acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo dismissed Owino’s assertions, defending the legality of the planned conference.
The Busia Woman Representative stated via her social media platforms that the Orange Democratic Movement constitution clearly outlines the mechanism for convening the NDC.
According to Omanyo, the conference is called through a resolution of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which must then be ratified by the National Governing Council (NGC).
She added that the ODM NDC is held once every five years no later than December 31 of the fifth year at a venue and date determined by the NEC.
Catherine Omanyo further clarified that the Secretary General’s role in the NDC process is limited to issuing a formal notice to party members.
She stated that if such notice is not issued, the National Executive Committee of the Orange Democratic Movement is empowered to designate another party official to communicate the notice at least 21 days before the conference.
