NAIROBI, Kenya—Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has confirmed he did not attend the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) parliamentary group meeting held in Mombasa on Monday, citing what he described as credible security concerns.

The ODM Secretary General alleged that there were plans to target him during the high-level party meeting, which brought together MPs, governors, and members of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).

Speaking in remarks shared publicly, Sifuna claimed that groups of youths are sometimes mobilised to disrupt party meetings involving leaders with dissenting views.

“I could not attend that meeting. There are many planned party meetings, and they want you to attend so that you are attacked. They organise gangs to attack you,” he alleged.

He further claimed that similar incidents had previously been witnessed during party gatherings in Kilifi and Mombasa, where he said groups were deployed to cause chaos.

Sifuna, who is aligned to the Linda Mwananchi faction within ODM, suggested that growing internal divisions in the party are linked to disagreements over its political direction ahead of the 2027 General Election, including debates around possible political alignments.

“Our brothers are not genuine during these talks,” he said, adding that efforts to resolve internal tensions have not yielded results.

The senator also pointed to ongoing ideological differences within ODM regarding cooperation with other political formations, insisting that the party must remain true to its founding principles.

He has previously been associated with ODM leaders, including Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, under the Linda Mwananchi faction, which has been openly critical of President William Ruto’s administration.

The ODM parliamentary group meeting in Mombasa reportedly brought together nearly 100 MPs, 13 governors and members of the NEC.