ODM convenes consultative forum for Nyanza aspirants

ODM offices /FILE

Orange Democratic Movement has invited aspirants from four Nyanza counties to a consultative meeting as preparations for the 2027 general election start to gather momentum.

According to the notice, the meeting will bring together party members seeking to contest various elective seats on the party ticket in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori counties.

The aspirants’ consultative forum is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 25 at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel, starting from 8:30 am.

The party said the meeting is part of ongoing preparations ahead of the 2027 polls and is expected to engage aspirants on key political and organisational matters.

“Aspirants for the various seats in the 2027 general election from the four counties of Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori are invited to attend the meeting,” the notice stated.

The meeting comes as political parties across the country intensify early grassroots mobilisation, internal consultations and succession planning ahead of the next general election cycle.

Nyanza remains one of ODM’s strongest political bases, with the party expected to witness heightened competition for parliamentary, gubernatorial and county assembly seats in the region.

On May 12, 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 party 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.

Interested aspirants were 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 signalled 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.

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.