The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has stirred the political waters ahead of looming by-elections after confirming that several aspirants have been handed direct tickets while setting the stage for bruising nomination battles in other hotly contested seats.
In a statement issued Friday, ODM National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) chairperson Emily Awita announced that two constituencies and multiple wards now have unopposed flagbearers, effectively locking out primaries in those areas.
Magarini Constituency’s Harrison Kombe and Fafi Ward’s Feisal Gedi are among those who will fly the ODM flag unchallenged. Others who secured automatic tickets include Salimu Mohamed (Chewani Ward), Thomas Eshuya Oyolo (Kisa East Ward), Daniel Naikuni (Purko Ward), Letoluai Loisia (Angata Nanyokie Ward) and Mohammed Yussuf (Naanam Ward).
“Where there was only one applicant, the NECC had no option but to declare them automatic flagbearers,” Awita explained.
But the real political drama is expected elsewhere. ODM has set September 24–27, 2025 as the dates for high-stakes primaries in constituencies and wards where multiple aspirants are jostling for the party’s blessing.
“The NECC is fully prepared and will ensure that the exercise is free, fair, transparent and credible,” Awita promised, even as questions linger on whether the direct-ticket model undermines the party’s democratic ethos.
The announcement follows last month’s Gazette Notice by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declaring vacancies in Ugunja and Kasipul constituencies, along with county assembly seats in Mumbuni North, Lake Zone, Nanaam, Chewani, Angata Nanyokie, Narok Town, Purko, Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, Ekerenyo and Kariobangi North wards.
ODM has already invited aspirants to Chungwa House, where male applicants for parliamentary seats are required to pay Ksh250,000 in nomination fees, while women, youth and persons with disabilities will part with Ksh125,000. For MCA seats, the rates stand at Ksh50,000 for men and Ksh25,000 for women, youth and PWDs.
As the primaries loom, the stage is set for fierce intra-party duels that could either strengthen ODM’s democratic credentials or fuel discontent among those locked out by direct handpicks.
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