ODM Denies Spending Ksh 100 Million to Ferry 6,000 Delegates to Nairobi

ODM Denies Spending Ksh 100 Million to Ferry 6,000 Delegates to Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has strongly dismissed claims that it spent over Ksh100 million to transport thousands of delegates to its recent Special Delegates Conference (SDC), terming the reports as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement issued on Sunday, March 29, ODM Director of Campaigns and Elections Junet Mohamed criticised a report by The Standard Group, which alleged that the party ferried more than 6,000 delegates to Nairobi at significant cost.

“Our attention has been drawn to a misleading and sensational headline published by The Standard Group alleging that ODM ferried 6,000 delegates to Nairobi for our National Delegates Conference… at a cost of Ksh100 million,” Junet said.

“We wish to categorically state that these allegations are false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and diminish the credibility of our party,” he added.

Dispute Over Delegate Numbers

The contested report claimed that ODM mobilised over 6,000 attendees for the March 27 conference and spent upwards of Ksh100 million on logistics, including transport, accommodation, and meals. It further alleged that delegates were allocated allowances of up to Ksh30,000 each.

However, ODM has rejected these claims, maintaining that the figures are inconsistent with the party’s constitutional provisions governing delegate participation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the ODM Constitution is explicit on the composition of the National Delegates Conference. The required number of accredited delegates is 3,000; any figure above this is unlawful,” Junet stated.

He questioned the origin of the reported figures, describing them as exaggerated and unsupported by verifiable data.

“It therefore begs the question: where did the figure of 6,000 delegates come from? Such exaggerations are not only inaccurate but point to a reckless disregard for facts,” he added.

Focus on Conference Outcomes

ODM officials urged the public to shift attention from the controversy surrounding the alleged expenditure to the outcomes of the SDC, which they described as a significant milestone for the party.

During the conference, delegates unanimously ratified Oburu Oginga as the party leader, formally ending a period of interim leadership following internal transitions.

The meeting also approved Gladys Wanga as the National Chairperson, alongside the appointment of Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir as deputy party leaders.

At the same time, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was dropped from the deputy party leadership position, signalling a broader restructuring within the party’s top ranks.

Internal Divisions Persist

Despite the show of unity at the official SDC, divisions within ODM remain evident. A faction associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino boycotted the event.

The group instead organised a parallel gathering, referred to as the “People’s National Delegates Convention,” accusing the party leadership of procedural irregularities and lack of inclusivity.

The existence of rival meetings underscored the deepening internal contest within ODM over leadership and direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Media Row Amid Broader Challenges

ODM’s rebuttal comes at a time when The Standard Group is facing heightened scrutiny from regulatory bodies. The Communications Authority of Kenya has recently moved to revoke several of the media house’s broadcasting licences over unpaid fees, while the Media Council of Kenya has raised concerns about sensational reporting practices.

Junet accused sections of the media of attempting to mischaracterise ODM’s mobilisation efforts and political strength.

He insisted that the party remains committed to transparency and adherence to its internal rules, urging journalists to uphold accuracy and fairness in their reporting.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the dispute highlights the growing intersection between media narratives and party politics, particularly as parties position themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.

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ODM Denies Spending Ksh 100 Million to Ferry 6,000 Delegates to Nairobi