Gladys Wanga Dismisses Sifuna-Linked Parallel ODM NDC, Terms It Plot to Mislead Members
Speaking during a press briefing at Chungwa House on Thursday, March 19, Wanga insisted that only the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has the constitutional authority to convene an NDC.
“This is a plot to create confusion, to create sideshows and mislead our members,” she said, referring to the initiative by the so-called “Linda Mwananchi” faction associated with Edwin Sifuna.
Authority to Convene Conference Questioned
Wanga challenged the faction to disclose which NEC body had authorised the proposed meeting, noting that the party leadership had already resolved to hold an official conference following extensive consultations last year.
“There was a call the whole of last year to hold an NDC, and the NEC sat and agreed to call one. Therefore, for anyone to claim they are organising an NDC, they must tell us which NEC met and made that decision,” she stated.
Official Conference Already Scheduled
The legitimate NDC is set to take place on March 27 at Jamhuri Park, with organisers saying all constitutional requirements have been met, including issuance of a mandatory 21-day notice and publication of the list of eligible delegates.
The conference is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the party’s leadership direction ahead of the 2027 general election.
However, the Linda Mwananchi faction has threatened to convene a separate gathering on the same day, claiming broad support across multiple counties.
Sifuna Says He Was Not Invited
Senator Sifuna has publicly stated that he will not attend the official conference, arguing that he did not receive an invitation.
Wanga dismissed the claim, clarifying that participation in the NDC is not based on individual invitations but on eligibility defined by party structures.
“NDC is not for people to be invited. It is for a notice to be issued by the party, and those to attend are clearly outlined in the constitution,” she explained.
Dispute Over Delegate Representation
In response to assertions by the rival faction that it has secured delegates from 35 counties, Wanga emphasised that ODM operates nationally across all 47 counties and maintains an official register of accredited delegates.
Party officials say any gathering outside the recognised framework would lack legal standing within ODM structures.
Rising Stakes Ahead of 2027
With the next general election approaching, internal alignments and leadership contests are expected to intensify as factions seek to position themselves for future control of the party machinery.
Wanga called for calm among members, urging them to rely only on official communication channels and to avoid being drawn into factional disputes.
Party Unity Under Test
The standoff underscores the challenges facing ODM as it navigates a transitional period marked by competing interests and interpretations of party rules.
For now, the party leadership maintains that preparations for the official NDC are on track and that the gathering will proceed as scheduled.
As March 27 approaches, attention is shifting to whether ODM can present a united front — or whether internal disagreements will reshape the party’s future trajectory ahead of the high-stakes 2027 polls.
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Gladys Wanga Dismisses Sifuna-Linked Parallel ODM NDC, Terms It Plot to Mislead Members
