Inside ODM roadmap to victory from nomination, campaign to by-elections
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 23, 2025The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is preparing for a crucial round of party primaries scheduled from Wednesday, September 24, to Saturday, September 27, 2025.
The primaries will decide the party’s candidates for parliamentary and ward by-elections set for November 27, 2025. Emily Awita, chairperson of the National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC), assured aspirants that the process will be free, fair, and transparent.
Direct nominations and contested seats
Ahead of the primaries, ODM party officials have awarded direct tickets to candidates in constituencies and wards where only one aspirant came forward. Harrison Kombe in Magarini Constituency, Salimu Mohamed in Chewani Ward, Thomas Eshuya Oyolo in Kisa East Ward, Daniel Naikuni in Purko Ward, Letoluai Loisia in Angata Nyanyokie Ward, Feisal Gedi in Fafi Ward, and Mohammed Yussuf in Naanam Ward have all received direct nominations.
In areas with multiple aspirants, such as Ugunja and Kasipul constituencies, primaries will be conducted to determine the party’s flagbearers. ODM opened applications on September 1, 2025, for 13 constituencies and wards. The decision to hold direct nominations or primaries follows the party’s internal rules, which allow uncontested aspirants to skip the primaries.
Vacancies driving by-elections
The upcoming by-elections result from a mix of appointments, deaths, and court rulings. Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi’s appointment as Cabinet Secretary left his seat vacant. In Kasipul, the death of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were in April 2025 triggered a by-election.
Similarly, the Magarini parliamentary seat was declared vacant after the Supreme Court nullified Harrison Kombe’s 2022 election win. These events highlight the continuing impact of vacancies on the ODM leadership structure, as the party seeks strong candidates to fill key positions.
While ODM party leaders emphasise transparency, tensions are rising among aspirants, particularly in Kasipul and Ugunja. Several candidates have accused ODM party officials of favouring specific aspirants. In Kasipul, five candidates, George Otieno, Okindo Majiwa, Ottoman Adele, Boyd Were, and Newton Ogada, are contesting for the ODM ticket. They claim that the local party chairman is already backing one candidate, raising fears of a biased nomination process.
Aspirants have warned that any attempt to influence the primaries would be met with resistance from residents.
“If it were going to be a free and fair nomination, by now we would have already known who is going to stand,” one aspirant said. “Attempts to twist the will of the people in the interest of a preferred candidate will be rejected.”
Party leadership signals readiness
Despite these complaints, ODM party leaders remain confident. Party leader Raila Odinga, Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, ODM deputy party leaders, governors Arati and Nassir, and National Chairperson Gladys Wanga have pledged full support for the primaries.
Wanga encouraged all candidates to focus on the process and assured them of the party’s backing. She also highlighted ODM’s goal to retain its existing seats and secure additional wins in the November by-elections.
The leadership has emphasised that the NECC will oversee the primaries independently to maintain credibility.
These primaries also reflect the lessons of the ODM grassroot elections 2024, where the party successfully tested systems for delegate voting, candidate vetting, and conflict resolution. Observers will look for how the ODM grassroot elections results and positions influence candidate selection and party cohesion this time.
What to watch
Observers will closely monitor the outcome of contested primaries, voter turnout, and the transparency of direct nominations. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will oversee candidate accreditation and monitor the primaries to ensure compliance with electoral guidelines.
In Kasipul, endorsements from national figures, including President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet and local ODM leaders, have already shaped the narrative. Boyd Were, son of the late MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, has emerged as a front-runner with public backing from prominent leaders.
In Ugunja, competition among three aspirants, Fredrick Owino, Moses Omondi, and Joseph Alur, is expected to be tight. The party’s ability to manage these contests will reflect its current ODM leadership structure and its capacity to maintain discipline following the death of key figures in the party, including the ODM party founder dead, whose legacy continues to influence candidate selection.
Contested primaries carry inherent risks. Losses can trigger grievances and intra-party tensions. Additionally, logistical challenges could affect timely communication and campaigning. Legal disputes could arise if aspirants feel the process is unfair, potentially affecting the party’s image ahead of national elections.
ODM’s timeline is clear: applications opened, nominations and direct tickets confirmed by September 12, 2025 primaries set for September 24–27, and the by-elections scheduled for November 27, 2025.