ODM declares 2027 presidential ticket open, calls for applicants

ODM offices / FILE

The battle for the 2027 General Election has intensified after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) opened the door for members seeking its nomination, including those eyeing the coveted presidential ticket.

In a notice released by the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee, the Orange Democratic Movement Orange Democratic Movement announced that applications are now open for aspirants seeking elective positions on its ticket, ranging from the president, governor, senator, county woman representative, and member of the National Assembly to member of the county assembly.

The party said the nomination exercise will be conducted under its Constitution and internal nomination rules, with the application window running up to June 30, 2026.

Interested aspirants have been directed to submit their applications through ODM’s online portal. Members have also been urged to verify their party membership details by dialling *483*036# as part of the verification process ahead of the nominations.

“To guarantee a credible process, we urge our party members to continuously engage the National Elections Coordinating Committee for any clarifications,” the notice stated.

The notice comes months after the United Democratic Alliance National Executive Committee formally mandated party leader President William Ruto to initiate structured coalition negotiations with the Orange Democratic Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The move signaled the UDA's resolve to formalise and strengthen the parties’ growing political partnership amid disquiet within the opposition outfit over whether or not to support Ruto's re-election bid.

In a communiqué issued after an NEC meeting held in Nairobi on Wednesday, January 14, and chaired by President Ruto, the party said it had taken note of ODM’s decision to pursue formal talks with UDA within the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.

The NEC stated that it had taken note of ODM's Central Management Committee to initiate structured negotiations with the UDA to strengthen the ongoing political partnership and negotiate a coalition deal ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Following that acknowledgement, the NEC resolved to place the responsibility of steering the engagement on the party leader.

“The NEC mandated the UDA party leader to establish mechanisms for structured engagement with the ODM party to achieve the desired outcome,” the communiqué said, effectively authorising President Ruto to lead talks aimed at shaping a pre-election coalition framework.

The announcement also comes as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ramps up preparations for the 2027 polls, placing renewed emphasis on transparency, voter registration and electoral integrity.

IEBC chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the commission is committed to delivering a credible, transparent and peaceful election, while calling on Kenyans to take responsibility in safeguarding democratic processes.

“This is a new commission with a new philosophy. We believe in being open to Kenyans because there is nothing we are hiding. We will do our job as guided by the Constitution and the law,” Ethekon said.

The IEBC has already deployed more than 12,000 staff across the country to support the ongoing mass voter registration exercise. Commissioners have also been conducting mobilisation drives in various regions to encourage participation.

According to the commission, the voter register is expected to grow from 22.1 million voters in 2022 to about 28.5 million by 2027. The number of polling stations is also projected to rise from 46,229 to nearly 55,000 to accommodate the increased electorate.

To strengthen electoral integrity, the IEBC is enhancing its biometric registration system by introducing iris capture alongside fingerprints, aimed at preventing duplication and protecting the credibility of the voter register.

“The Register is the foundation of any election. We cannot compromise its integrity,” Ethekon said.

He also reflected on the 2007/2008 post-election violence, warning against a repeat of the crisis that left hundreds dead, displaced thousands and severely damaged the economy.

“We must pray that the events of 2007 never return. Elections must never again lead to such suffering,” he said.

Ethekon further noted that recent by-elections had exposed ongoing challenges, including voter bribery, violence and political interference, even though most of the exercises were largely successful.