ODM party leader Oburu Odinga has assured aspirants seeking to contest elective seats on the party's ticket that none will receive preferential treatment from the party leadership.
Oburu insisted that nominations will be determined by party members at the grassroots.
Speaking at Siaya National Polytechnic during a fundraiser for the construction of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Tower, the ODM party leader urged aspirants to focus on winning the confidence of voters instead of lobbying officials at the party headquarters for endorsements.
"Those who want to vie for elective seats on the ODM ticket, do not bother looking for that power at the party headquarters. Look for it at the grassroots," Oburu said.
"That is where power lies. Power lies at the grassroots and once you get nominated there, you will be our candidate."
He emphasised that he would not use his position in the Orange Democratic Movement to influence the outcome of nominations in favour of any individual.
"Do not depend on any favour from me. I am not going to favour anybody. Nobody is going to hang on my coat," he said.
"I want everybody to go to the people and get the
tickets from them."
His remarks reinforce ODM's commitment to conducting competitive nominations ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the party having ruled out the issuance of direct nomination certificates.
The party has maintained that all aspirants, regardless of
their political stature or proximity to the leadership, will have to seek the
mandate of members through credible and transparent party primaries.
ODM leaders have repeatedly said there will be no "sacred cows" or pre-arranged candidacies, promising a level playing field for all contestants.
To restore confidence following disputes that have characterized previous nomination exercises, the party has tasked its National Elections and Coordinating Committee with developing fail-safe mechanisms to ensure free, fair and transparent primaries.
ODM has also announced plans to introduce a digital application portal through which aspirants will formally apply to contest various elective positions.
At the same time, the party is reorganising its grassroots structures, including Ward Executive Committees, as part of efforts to strengthen internal democracy and enhance members' confidence in the nomination process.
In Kenya's competitive political landscape, party nominations are often as fiercely contested as the general election itself.
While many aspirants willingly submit themselves to party primaries, others have traditionally sought to secure direct nominations by lobbying senior party officials, arguing that consensus candidates help avoid costly and divisive contests.
Such lobbying has often involved consultations with party leaders, with aspirants citing opinion polls, political experience, regional balance or electoral strength as justification for receiving direct tickets. The practice has, however, frequently sparked protests from rival aspirants who argue that it undermines internal democracy and disenfranchises party members.
