Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda has called on ODM leader Raila Odinga to desist from endorsing his preferred candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview with a vernacular TV station on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Ojienda said the move would create unnecessary tensions within the ODM Party.

“We have to recognize that Raila has done a great job in shaping our collective destinies as a people. However, he should now leave the local politics to the contestants to battle out amongst themselves,” Ojienda observed.

Preferred candidates

“What he should avoid completely is to tell us to vote for individuals he prefers. He should stop the public endorsement of candidates and let the voters elect the best candidate in their own assessment. That will bring a lot of chaos in our local politics.”

In Luo Nyanza, an endorsement by Raila is akin to having one foot on the political seat one is vying for; similarly, contesting on an ODM ticket greatly boosts one’s chances of securing their seat of choice.

Ojienda, however, is calling on Raila to abandon his style that is as old as the ODM party itself, and allow voters to freely elect the men and women of their choice.

In the past, the ODM party has handed direct nomination tickets to certain individuals within the party, much to the chagrin of other contestants looking to vie with the party’s ticket.

On the other hand, some of the ODM nominations have been marred by irregularities and violence as party honchos ensure only favoured candidates are handed the nomination certificates.

Which way, ODM?

As the ODM party approaches the 2027 general elections, however, the party remains in disarray, with internal divisions on whether to support President William Ruto for a second term or field their own candidate.

On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna indicated that the party stands a good chance of clinching the presidency in 2027, despite Raila stating in an earlier interview that he will support Ruto until 2027.