Top Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) elections board officials are preparing for a trip to South Africa to pick lessons on party nominations from African National Congress (ANC).
Another delegation is set to fly to Ghana for a similar mission as the Orange party begins to confront the ghost of bungled nominations.
The outfit has picked on the two countries because of their stable democracies. ANC has remained one of the most resilient political party in the continent. It has been in power since the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994. While Ghana has had a peaceful multiparty system, with regular free elections.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga, party chairperson Gladys Wanga and other officials of the party during a political rally at Kirembe Grounds in Kisumu on May 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga told the Nation that the idea is to learn from their models and pick lessons that can ensure credible party primaries for ODM ahead of the 2027 polls.
The outfit has also rolled out aggressive grassroots meetings to revive its old networks and fight off encroachment by rivals ahead of the 2027 polls.
Following its well-attended rally in Kisumu, ODM is set to hold a series of other meetings in Western, Turkana and Narok. Officials said that there are plans by the party to visit all counties where ODM enjoys significant backing.
Top party officials have been holding meetings with aspirants across the country. They recently held meetings with delegates drawn from Kisumu in two separate forums, with plans for more engagement in the coming weeks.
ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga has also stepped up efforts to connect with the party’s old networks, while seeking to call a truce with members perceived to be drifting away.
Dr Oginga held a meeting with ODM pioneer secretary-general and Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o in his latest pursuit to unite the party.
Dr Oburu Oginga delivers his speech during ODM's Special Delegates Convention at Nairobi’s Jamhuri Grounds.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
“I held a highly productive consultative meeting with my brother, Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, of Kisumu County, today (yesterday) we put our heads together to chart a strategic way forward for the ODM party,” said Dr Oginga.
“Our mission remains simple yet profound to anchor our future deeply in the original seed from which this great movement grew.”
Governor Wanga told the Nation that they are putting systems in place so as to hold credible nominations. She said that is part of the ODM’s programs ahead of the next elections, which are about 13 months away.
“Our National Elections and Coordinating Committee (formerly the National Elections Board) is looking at various models, including that of the ANC of South Africa,” said Ms Wanga.
Homa Bay Governor ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga addresses party supporters during a political rally at Kirembe Grounds, Kisumu on May 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“The idea is for our party to improve on its processes and give confidence to our members that the nominations will be free and fair.”
During a recent retreat in Mombasa, ODM instructed its NECC to begin putting in place systems that will ensure free and fair party primaries. The party has ruled out issuance of direct tickets as was the case during previous elections.
“We task the National Elections and Coordinating Committee to device enhanced and fail-proof mechanisms for conducting free, fair, transparent and credible party nominations,” ODM said.
