Osotsi was removed from his position on Friday, March 27, 2026, during a Special Delegates Convention held at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi.
The announcement was made by National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who named Simba Arati, the Governor of Kisii County, and Abdullswamad Nassir, the Governor of Mombasa County, as the new deputy party leaders.
However, in a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, March 28, Osotsi rejected the process that led to his removal, arguing that it violated the party constitution and lacked legitimacy.
“I acknowledge that two ODM-affiliated meetings were held in Nairobi, and from these parallel gatherings, Kenyans can clearly discern where the true spirit and legacy of Raila Odinga reside,” Osotsi said.
The senator pointed to a separate meeting held at Ufungamano House by leaders aligned with the ODM–Linda Mwananchi faction.
However, in a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, March 28, Osotsi rejected the process that led to his removal, arguing that it violated the party constitution and lacked legitimacy.
“I acknowledge that two ODM-affiliated meetings were held in Nairobi, and from these parallel gatherings, Kenyans can clearly discern where the true spirit and legacy of Raila Odinga reside,” Osotsi said.
The senator pointed to a separate meeting held at Ufungamano House by leaders aligned with the ODM–Linda Mwananchi faction.
According to him, police attempted to block access to the venue, which he described as a deliberate attempt by the government to interfere with the party’s internal processes.
“It is deeply unfortunate that the state has chosen to interfere in the internal affairs of the ODM party, undermining democratic principles and the autonomy of party processes,” Osotsi stated.
Despite the heavy police presence, he said the meeting proceeded as planned.
“The will of the people prevailed and the meeting proceeded successfully,” he added, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of attempting to disrupt the gathering.
Osotsi further compared the situation to previous political eras, saying that even under former President Daniel arap Moi, the state rarely intervened in internal party disputes.
“This action was a direct affront to the spirit of multiparty democracy,” he said.
Dispute over legitimacy of party meeting
At the centre of the dispute is the legitimacy of the National Delegates Convention held at Jamhuri Grounds under the leadership of Oburu Oginga.
“It is deeply unfortunate that the state has chosen to interfere in the internal affairs of the ODM party, undermining democratic principles and the autonomy of party processes,” Osotsi stated.
Despite the heavy police presence, he said the meeting proceeded as planned.
“The will of the people prevailed and the meeting proceeded successfully,” he added, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of attempting to disrupt the gathering.
Osotsi further compared the situation to previous political eras, saying that even under former President Daniel arap Moi, the state rarely intervened in internal party disputes.
“This action was a direct affront to the spirit of multiparty democracy,” he said.
Dispute over legitimacy of party meeting
At the centre of the dispute is the legitimacy of the National Delegates Convention held at Jamhuri Grounds under the leadership of Oburu Oginga.
Osotsi revealed that he deliberately skipped the meeting because he considered it irregular and inconsistent with the party’s procedures.
“I did not attend the NDC convened under Oburu Oginga, as I considered it both irregular and inconsistent with the original purpose for which it was intended,” he said.
The senator further claimed that the convention which removed him was attended by individuals who were not legitimate party delegates.
“I did not attend the NDC convened under Oburu Oginga, as I considered it both irregular and inconsistent with the original purpose for which it was intended,” he said.
The senator further claimed that the convention which removed him was attended by individuals who were not legitimate party delegates.
According to him, the genuine membership and leadership of the party were present at the Ufungamano meeting.
“The meeting that purported to effect leadership changes was fundamentally flawed, having not adhered to the party constitution,” he said.
The fallout follows earlier tensions within ODM, including the controversial removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as secretary general during a National Executive Council meeting in Mombasa in February.
Osotsi revealed that he had been offered the same position after Sifuna’s removal but declined the offer out of loyalty.
“At the time, I was subsequently offered the position of secretary general, but I declined without hesitation, as I could not betray a brother who had committed no wrongdoing,” he said.
According to the senator, his decision to reject the role may have contributed to the events that followed.
“This decision appeared to anger those orchestrating these changes, and I was warned of consequences,” he claimed.
Despite insisting that he has strong legal grounds to challenge his removal, Osotsi said he will not pursue the matter in court.
“Although I have strong legal grounds to challenge these decisions in court, I have made a conscious decision not to pursue litigation,” he said.
Instead, he vowed to continue advocating for what he described as the true ideals of the party and warned against political manoeuvring within ODM, particularly among leaders seeking senior positions.
“I am not a politician who can be intimidated or governed by fear,” Osotsi said.
“The meeting that purported to effect leadership changes was fundamentally flawed, having not adhered to the party constitution,” he said.
The fallout follows earlier tensions within ODM, including the controversial removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as secretary general during a National Executive Council meeting in Mombasa in February.
Osotsi revealed that he had been offered the same position after Sifuna’s removal but declined the offer out of loyalty.
“At the time, I was subsequently offered the position of secretary general, but I declined without hesitation, as I could not betray a brother who had committed no wrongdoing,” he said.
According to the senator, his decision to reject the role may have contributed to the events that followed.
“This decision appeared to anger those orchestrating these changes, and I was warned of consequences,” he claimed.
Despite insisting that he has strong legal grounds to challenge his removal, Osotsi said he will not pursue the matter in court.
“Although I have strong legal grounds to challenge these decisions in court, I have made a conscious decision not to pursue litigation,” he said.
Instead, he vowed to continue advocating for what he described as the true ideals of the party and warned against political manoeuvring within ODM, particularly among leaders seeking senior positions.
“I am not a politician who can be intimidated or governed by fear,” Osotsi said.
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