ODM party secretary General Edwin Sifuna (Center) addressing the press after the central committee meeting /Photo, Governor Peter Anyang Nyong’o Press team /
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Friday 9, January 2025, confirmed that it will field a presidential candidate in 2027.
The party also dismissed any possibility of forming a coalition with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Addressing the press shortly after the party’s central committee meeting, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna affirmed the party’s commitment to strengthening its grassroots structures and maintaining its position as a leading political entity.
“ODM remains a distinct political party, in competition with all others, to win power by democratic means,” Sifuna said, warning members against endorsing other parties’ agendas.
The party highlighted the progress made in its grassroots elections conducted in November 2024.
Out of 41 appeals received,Sifuna said that only six were found to have merit and will proceed to hearings before the party’s appeals committee. Sifuna announced that elections for ward, constituency, and county levels will follow once the appeals process is concluded.
“ODM now has committees in over 39,000 polling centers, a testament to our robust grassroots presence,” Sifuna stated, adding that this structure is critical for the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
The party also expressed concern over delays in constituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, citing potential risks to the 2027 election timeline.
They are now urging the judiciary to expedite the resolution of court cases that have stalled the panel’s empanelment.
“This is a matter of national urgency. The new IEBC commissioners will need time to settle in, prepare for the elections, and address boundary reviews,” Sifuna warned.
The ODM central committee also resolved to prioritize legislative efforts to defend devolution and address disputes over the new revenue-sharing formula proposed by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA). The party urged its members in Parliament to ensure that no county suffers losses under the new formula.
As the party marks its 20th year of existence in 2025, Sifuna reassured members that ODM remains committed to its founding principles of democracy, good governance and social justice.
The party also expressed confidence in its leader’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
The ODM leadership reiterated its focus on self-strengthening, dismissing talk of coalitions with rivals. “We are ODM. We must speak about ourselves and prepare to capture power independently,” Sifuna concluded.
The party’s first central committee meeting was chaired by Kisumu county Governor Professor Peter Anyang Nyong’o who is currently the acting party leader.
Nyong’o called on members of the party to desist from endorsing the party’s competitors noting that such developments will undermine the unity of the party and it’s goals
“Let us be mindful of our words and actions, and avoid supporting our competitors in ways that may undermine the party’s unity and goals.” Nyong’o said in a Facebook post minutes after the meeting
The meeting also endorsed immediate ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s AUC bid.
The meeting was also attended by Homa Bay county governor Gladys Wanga who’s the ODM party chairperson, Mombasa governor Abdullswamad Nassir, the ODM deputy party leader among others.
This comes at a time that Raila Odinga is rumored to form a formidable political force that will help Ruto successfully run for a second term.
It is not yet clear who the party will field for president in the 2027 general elections but majority argue that should Raila fail to win AUC chairperson, he will set stab at the presidency.
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