Sifuna and Owino Supporters Break Into Ufungamano House Amid ODM Rival Meeting

Supporters of Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino stormed Ufungamano House on Friday. They forced their way past a brief police blockade. The move came as tensions flared between rival Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) factions.

The group held a parallel meeting inside the historic building. Meanwhile, the Oburu Oginga-led faction conducted its own special delegates convention at the ASK Showground. This dual setup reflects a party deeply divided. Delegates described scenes of chaos outside Ufungamano House. Police had initially turned people away. Barricades were erected along Mamlaka Road.

Godfrey Osotsi, a key Sifuna ally, declared: “We will proceed with our convention. This represents the will of ODM members.” James Orengo and Babu Owino were also present. They denounced the rival meeting as illegal and said they would challenge any decisions taken there.

Observers noted the dramatic entry into Ufungamano House highlighted the stakes in the succession battle within ODM. The party has been grappling with internal rivalries since the death of Raila Odinga in October 2025. Raila had kept the party united for nearly 20 years. His absence has left a vacuum, exposing simmering tensions.

The Oburu-led convention at the ASK Showground went on as planned. It focused on ratifying leadership resolutions and reviewing constitutional provisions for special delegates meetings. At the same time, the Sifuna-Owino faction insisted it was defending party rules, claiming that only approved procedures should guide such gatherings.

Political analysts say the standoff shows how fragile ODM’s internal structure has become. “Both sides are asserting authority, creating a dual power scenario,” one observer commented. The parallel meetings could shape ODM’s strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.