ODM has deployed a strategy of dealing with perceived fence-sitters and leaders who have been rebelling against the party by undermining their political influence, even as it insists on loyalty and free and fair nominations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The recent wave of defections to the party has put fence-sitters and rebel leaders on the spot, as party leader Dr Oburu Oginga continues to demand utmost loyalty.
With ODM insisting on zoning in its strongholds as part of its political cooperation with UDA, some leaders who were previously in the ruling party are moving to ODM, alongside others who had contested elections as independent candidates.
In Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja's cooperation with ODM, even when the late Raila Odinga was alive, and his eventual decision to join the party have complicated the political fortunes of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. The fiery legislator has since joined the Mwananchi Party, which he intends to use for his gubernatorial bid.
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga (second right) shares a light moment with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja (right), Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati (second left) and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed following Sakaja’s official defection to the party from UDA at Chungwa House in Nairobi on November 2, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, who has fallen out of favour with sections of ODM supporters, faces an uphill political task after her opponent, Silas Jakakimba, one of the late Raila's confidants, rejoined ODM from UDA.
In the neighbouring Suba South Constituency, MP Caroli Omondi has ditched ODM, while his key opponent in the 2022 General Election, Stephen Sangira, who contested as an independent candidate, has joined the Orange party.
In Kitutu Chache South Constituency, where MP Anthony Kibagendi has ditched ODM and joined the political camp of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i, the party has unveiled another candidate.
On Wednesday, acting ODM party leader Simba Arati welcomed academician Dr Andrew Maubi into the party, with the latter being touted as a potential challenger to Mr Kibagendi.
Kisii Governor and ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati addresses party supporters during a mega rally in memory of Raila Odinga at Jacaranda Grounds on October 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Also in Nairobi, ODM has welcomed former Embakasi West MP George Theuri as it seeks to challenge incumbent legislator Mark Mwenje of Jubilee.
In 2022, ODM agreed not to field a candidate in the constituency, where it enjoys considerable support, and allowed Jubilee's Mr Mwenje to contest under a negotiated arrangement.
Mr Mwenje has since moved to Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), which he intends to use to defend his seat.
In Nairobi, Mr Sakaja defended his decision to join ODM, saying he had not come to occupy anyone's space but to claim his rightful position.
"I am not joining ODM to take anyone's space or replace anybody. I am joining to take my rightful position," said the governor.
Before bolting out of ODM, Mr Owino had accused the party leadership of favouring Mr Sakaja and planning to award him its ticket.
"I don't think there will be a free and fair nomination because of the association of the leadership with Sakaja. It is sad that when ODM was fighting, I was always being looked for, but when things are now good, I am being fought," Mr Owino said in an interview in April this year.
If Mr Sakaja eventually flies the ODM flag, he will face Mr Owino, who has vowed not to step aside for anyone, despite the political realignments in the opposition.
"I will vie on a Mwananchi Party ticket and have candidates for MCA seats because, for your tenure as governor to be smooth, you must have a majority of MCAs on your side," added Mr Owino.
In Suba North, Ms Odhiambo has served as the constituency's MP since 2013, when she took over from the late Cabinet minister Otieno Kajwang. She also served as a nominated MP on an ODM ticket from 2007 to 2013.
However, the legislator has been at odds with sections of the party over her shifting political positions, particularly her support for President William Ruto and some of the party's decisions, including the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the secretary general.
President William Ruto delivers his speech during an interdenominational church service at St Joseph’s Seminary in Mwingi Central, Kitui County on October 25, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
As she addressed the gathering, residents waved their hands in displeasure and shouted her down, with some yelling, "Kwenda, toka hapa," while others told her, "Wewe kaa tu kwa fence."
"Those who support Ruto, raise your hands. What is nice is being repeated. Me, Amillo gesa gesa, you are making noise for me. I was born with tough-headedness and I support Ruto the way I want. And I'm telling you, I don't care," said Ms Odhiambo.
"I'm telling you I have spoken by force and you can't threaten a lion," she added.
The MP later took to social media to say she had been embarrassed by the heckling at the event. Since then she has maintained her position on key issues of the party
Mr Jakakimba, a former aide to the late Raila, has been reaching out to supporters in the constituency under the slogan 'Diet nyaka loki' (the diet must change).
Soon after rejoining ODM, Mr Jakakimba travelled to the constituency, where he received a rousing welcome from a section of his supporters as he insisted he was the best candidate to represent them.
"Pursuant to the popular desire of the great people of Suba North, I have yielded to the necessary move to execute our aspiration to represent the people of Suba North Constituency, still within the broad-based family and on the Orange Democratic Movement Party platform," he said.
In neighbouring Suba South, Mr Sangira has announced that he will contest on an ODM ticket.
"In 2017, I got 17,000 votes as an independent candidate, while Caroli got 23,000 votes with ODM's support from Raila. Now that Caroli is on the other side and I'm in ODM and Raila is not there, what do you expect?" he told the Nation .
In the 2022 elections, Mr Omondi secured 25,805 votes against Mr Sangira's 14,396.
When President Ruto visited the constituency in September, he introduced Mr Sangira in many of his stopovers.
"Also, there is Mr Sangira there, a good man and a good friend of mine," said President Ruto.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi conceded during the meeting that Mr Sangira would have won the seat in 2027 had it not been for ODM's top leadership intervention.
"Raila instructed me to ensure ODM candidates won, and I camped here for two days to help Caroli. He secured victory by a small margin," said Mr Mbadi.
In Kisii County, Kitutu Chache South Constituency has consistently been represented by ODM MPs since the 2013 General Election. Even between 2007 and 2013, when it was part of the larger Kitutu Chache Constituency, it was represented by an ODM MP, Richard Onyonka, who is now the Kisii Senator.
In 2022, Mr Kibagendi took over and was elected on an ODM ticket but is now an associate of Dr Matiang'i.
In his speech after being welcomed into the party by Mr Arati, Dr Maubi vowed to strengthen ODM at the grassroots.
In Embakasi West, Mr Theuri, who served as the area MP from 2013 to 2022 on TNA and Jubilee, is seeking a political comeback by persuading the constituency's sizeable ODM support base to back him after Mr Mwenje decamped to Mr Gachagua's camp.
He, however, faces an uphill task given the incumbent's development record and the projects he has initiated in the constituency.
In 2022, the four wards making up the constituency were closely contested, with ODM winning Umoja II, while Jubilee took Kariobangi South. Umoja I and Mowlem went to UDA.
