The move according to the insiders comes amid concerns about its future without its longtime leader Raila Odinga contesting for the presidency.
Therefore, the ODM has now invited members interested in vying for various seats through the party ticket to submit their applications in a move that internal leaders say is aimed at measuring the party’s strengths and weaknesses across different regions of the country.
Through the exercise, ODM hopes to identify areas where it still enjoys strong political influence and those that may be drifting away from the party after Odinga’s era.
In a notice published in local newspapers, ODM invited aspirants for the presidency, governorships, senate seats, women representative positions, parliamentary seats, and ward representative positions to submit applications before June 30.
Unlike President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for the Citizens Party associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which charge up to KSh50,000 for candidate registration, ODM is not charging any fees.
“Our goal is to identify the areas where we still have political strength. The list of applicants will help us plan strategies for the 2027 election,” one ODM official said.
The party also banned the issuance of direct nomination tickets.
“We have instructed the elections committee to design strong systems to ensure primaries are conducted fairly, transparently, and credibly,” the party said.
For many years, ODM has relied on its political strongholds in Nyanza, Western Kenya, the Coast region, Turkana, parts of North Eastern Kenya, and among the Maasai community.
However, party leaders fear the situation could change in 2027 because Odinga will not be in the presidential race.
Additionally, ODM is facing internal divisions over whether it should support President Ruto in the 2027 election.
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