ODM will form a coalition with like-minded political parties ahead of the 2022 General-Election, deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya said yesterday.

Oparanya revealed that the party was in talks with the ruling Jubilee Party, the Party of National Unity (PNU) and other political outfits to form an election coalition.

“Talks between the three parties are going on very well and I am certain that very soon we will be announcing the new and most formidable coalition in the country to face off with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the elections,” said the Kakamega governor.

He added: “We have approached some parties in One Kenya Alliance to be part of the talks with the view of forming the coalition and soon you will hear an announcement”.

He was addressing ODM grassroots leaders in Kakamega town during a meeting convened by the National Elections Board (NEB) to update them on new rules and plans for upcoming party elections.

NEB chairperson Catherine-Muyeka Mumma and Mumias West MP Johnstone Naicca attended the meeting.

Oparanya said ODM had stepped up campaigns to strengthen the party in its strongholds and beyond in order to join the coalition as a strong partner.

“We are putting measures in place to enable ODM win more elective seats to enjoy numerical strength in the coalition and the next government,” he added.

The governor asked the board to conduct free and fair nominations to enable the party achieve its target of winning more governor, MP, senator and Ward Rep seats in next year’s elections.

“NEB should not mess the party again in the nominations. Shambolic ODM primaries cost the party many seats in 2017 and this time round we are demanding free, fair and democratic nominations,” he added.

Oparanya said that ODM should be issuing certificates to nomination winners at the county level to end corruption at Orange House during primaries.

“The Orange House is full of brokers who extort money from candidates and sell tickets. Let us not expose our candidates to such people,” he added. 

Mumma said only ODM registered members would take part in nominations to avoid infiltration by rival political parties.