ODM Opens 2027 Ticket Applications as Party Battles Internal Power Struggles
The Orange Democratic Movement has officially launched its application process for members seeking to vie for elective positions in the 2027 General Election under the party ticket, setting the stage for what is expected to be an intense battle for political influence across the country.
In a notice issued by the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC), ODM invited interested members to apply for six key positions, including president, governor, senator, woman representative, member of parliament, and member of county assembly.
The notice, dated May 11 and signed by NECC Chairperson Emily Awita, directed all aspiring candidates to submit their applications by June 30, 2026, through the party’s online portal.
According to the party, the exercise will be conducted in line with Article 61(1) of the ODM Constitution as well as the party’s Elections and Nomination Rules governing internal electoral processes.
“Pursuant to Article 61(1) of the ODM Constitution, as read together with Rule 7(1) and Part VIII of the Party Elections and Nomination Rules, the National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) hereby invites applications from interested Party members seeking to contest in the 2027 General Elections on the ODM Party ticket,” the notice stated.
ODM outlined a raft of strict requirements for aspirants seeking clearance to contest on the party ticket, signalling an attempt to streamline nominations ahead of the highly anticipated polls.
Among the mandatory conditions, applicants must be registered voters and recognised life members of the party. They are also required to provide valid party membership certificates, national identification cards or passports, tax compliance certificates, certificates of good conduct, and academic credentials where applicable.
The party further insisted that aspirants must have maintained active membership for at least six months prior to the application period and fully cleared all party dues, subscriptions, and levies before being considered for nominations.
Potential candidates will also be required to meet constitutional and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) qualifications tied to the positions they intend to seek, including integrity standards and academic thresholds.
In what appears to be a move aimed at curbing political defections and opportunistic party hopping, ODM barred individuals who recently shifted allegiance from rival political parties. Aspirants must confirm they have not defected from another political outfit within three months preceding the nomination exercise.
The party also urged members to verify their registration details early by dialling 483036#, a step seen as an effort to avoid the membership disputes and nomination chaos that have previously rocked ODM primaries in several counties and constituencies.
The announcement comes at a politically sensitive moment for ODM, which has recently been rocked by internal leadership wrangles and growing factional divisions following the death of longtime party leader Raila Odinga.
The party is currently perceived to be split between two rival camps — the “Linda Mwananchi” faction associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and the “Linda Ground” faction linked to veteran politician Oburu Oginga.
The divisions have further intensified after James Orengo recently declared himself the party’s “de facto leader,” while criticising what he termed as irregular leadership changes implemented after Raila’s exit from active party leadership.
Political analysts say the opening of the application process could trigger early succession battles within ODM as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections amid uncertainty over the party’s future direction and leadership structure.
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