Delegates who arrived at the venue early on, among them activist Bob Njagi. were turned awar by officers who blocked access to the planned meeting venue.
A heavy security presence was deployed at the site, with water cannons stationed around the area. Delegates questioned the move, noting there were no protests to warrant such measures.
“The officers have clearly told us that there’s not going to be a meeting today, (that) they have instructions from above to stop any gathering from happening. This is a breach of Article 37 that gives people the right to peacefully assemble and associate freely,” said Njagi in a self-recorded video.
“We shall not be intimidated, we’re calling on all Kenyans to come out in large numbers and join us as we speak.”
The Linda Mwananchi faction, comprising Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi and Siaya Governor James Orengo among others, had organised the convention
The meeting comes amid a split within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with the party’s Linda Ground faction set to hold its own Special Delegates Convention (SDC) at Jamhuri Grounds to ratify decisions made during the National Executive Council (NEC).
Leaders allied to the Linda Ground faction, including ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga and Chairperson Gladys Wanga, have dismissed the parallel convention, maintaining that the party recognises only one official delegates gathering.
