The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has pledged to conduct free and fair nominations in the 2027 General Election in a move seen as an effort to retain its dominance in Nyanza and curb internal defections.
ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga assured supporters that the party will abandon the controversial practice of issuing direct tickets, which in past elections triggered disputes and drove some aspirants to run as independents.
“Anyone who wants to run on an ODM ticket must seek support from the people. There will be no direct nominations,” Wanga said, warning politicians against misleading voters by claiming closeness to party leadership guarantees them tickets.
Her remarks signal a major shift for the party, which has long been associated with the influence of its longtime leader Raila Odinga. For years, Odinga’s endorsement played a decisive role in determining candidates, with many MPs, senators, and governors—among them Wanga herself—widely perceived to have benefited from his backing.
In previous elections, ODM relied on a mix of direct nominations and negotiated consensus, a system that often sparked controversy and, at times, violence during primaries. In 2022, for instance, a majority of parliamentary aspirants in Homa Bay County received direct tickets, highlighting the party’s centralized decision-making approach.
With Odinga no longer at the helm of day-to-day party affairs, ODM now faces the challenge of managing competitive nominations without a single unifying figure to resolve disputes.
Wanga, however, expressed confidence that the party can maintain unity and protect its strongholds.
“Protecting our party is a priority. We must win more seats in 2027 to strengthen our voice in national politics,” she said.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma echoed her sentiments, urging aspirants to join ODM and trust the new nomination process, while emphasizing the party’s continued dominance in the region.
The shift comes amid heightened political activity across the country, with leaders positioning themselves ahead of the next general election. In contrast, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki recently warned the opposition to prepare for a tough contest, insisting that President William Ruto is on course to secure a second term.
As political temperatures begin to rise, ODM’s ability to transition from reliance on high-profile endorsements to a more transparent and competitive nomination process could prove critical in shaping its future influence.
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