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Wanga: There will be no direct ODM tickets
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga speaks during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Special Delegates Convention at the ASK Dome, Jamhuri Expo Centre in Nairobi.
In a calculated effort to stem defections and preserve its political dominance in Nyanza, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has assured supporters of free, fair and transparent nominations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Party leaders have dismissed any notion of issuing direct nomination certificates to favoured aspirants, a practice that has previously sparked discontent in some regions. Instead, aspirants will be required to campaign and engage voters before securing the party ticket.
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga cautioned politicians from the lake region against misleading the electorate with claims of pre-arranged candidacies. She decried the spread of false narratives by individuals seeking to intimidate rivals by alleging close ties with party leadership.
“Let no one tell voters that they are in good terms with me or the party leader, Oburu Oginga, and will therefore automatically receive an ODM certificate. Anyone wishing to vie on an ODM ticket must earn it through hard work and genuine engagement with members,” Ms Wanga said.
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Historically, ODM has used a mix of methods to identify candidates, including direct nominations, consensus agreements and universal suffrage. Some of these approaches have, at times, triggered walkouts, with disgruntled aspirants opting to run as independent candidates. In certain instances, disputes have escalated into violence, leaving supporters feeling aggrieved.
The party previously issued direct certificates in Homa Bay during the 2022 elections, where six out of eight parliamentary candidates were handpicked. Consensus was also applied when Ms Wanga secured the Homa Bay gubernatorial ticket after other aspirants, including Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, stepped aside.
This time, however, ODM is charting a different course. Ms Wanga said the party will primarily rely on universal suffrage, allowing members to vote and determine candidates for all elective positions, from MCA to governor.
“The party will hold free and fair nominations and give every interested aspirant an equal opportunity. It is the people who will decide who flies the ODM flag,” said the Homa Bay governor.
In the past, post-nomination unrest often drew intervention from former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who stepped in to calm tensions. His absence this time is expected to reshape how the party manages internal disputes and its nomination processes.
Ms Wanga reiterated the party’s commitment to fairness, saying the reforms are part of a broader strategy to strengthen ODM following Odinga’s death. Speaking during a public engagement at Sero Vocational Training Centre, she said officials are determined to shield the party from external interference while reinforcing internal cohesion.
She also underscored the importance of discipline and loyalty, warning that the party’s parliamentary strength must not diminish. According to her, political influence is built on numbers, unity and an engaged electorate.
“Defending our party comes first. We must secure more seats in the upcoming poll to enhance our bargaining power in national negotiations. Without sufficient representation, we risk exclusion from the decision-making table. This can only be achieved if our supporters register for IDs and obtain voters’ cards,” she said.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma also weighed in, advocating for zoning in the next election cycle. He urged aspirants from other parties, particularly UDA, to defect and join ODM, citing its continued dominance in the region.
“We intend to conduct fair nominations. All aspirants should join ODM, the party that remains firmly rooted in this region,” he said.
