Sifuna faction rejects ODM's call for 2027 candidates applications

ODM has officially kicked off its preparations for the 2027 General Election by inviting interested members to apply for nomination to run for election under the party ticket, a move that has intensified speculation over an ongoing supremacy battle within the party.

In a notice issued by the National Elections Coordinating Committee chairperson, Emily Awita, ODM announced that applications are open for six elective positions.

The positions include president, governor, senator, Woman Representative, Member of Parliament and Member of County Assembly (MCA). Interested aspirants are required to submit their applications online before June 30, 2026.

The announcement comes at a politically delicate moment for the party, which in recent months has been split between two camps, one associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and the other with party leader Oburu Oginga.

While the party leadership has framed the early opening of applications as a strategy to streamline nominations and strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of next year’s General Election, political observers argue that the exercise could also be part of a wider internal restructuring aimed at consolidating power within the Oburu-led faction.

Party chairperson Gladys Wanga said the move was part of preparations for the next phase of leadership. “We welcome committed men and women who are ready to serve with integrity, champion devolution, and stand firm for the rights of all Kenyans. ODM is not just a political party — it is a family that believes leadership is about service, not privilege,” she said.

She added that ODM was the ideal platform for every aspiring leader who wants to make a difference.

“Register today and be part of shaping Kenya’s future,” said the Homa Bay Governor.

Since the death of its founder Raila Odinga last October, ODM has been rocked by infighting over the party’s future direction, especially regarding its cooperation with President William Ruto and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The Sifuna-led faction, popularly known as “Linda Mwananchi”, has pushed for ODM to retain its opposition identity and field a presidential candidate in 2027.

On the other hand, the Oburu-led “Linda Ground” faction has advocated for structured negotiations with UDA ahead of the next election.

Following the announcement, the Sifuna-led faction dismissed the invitation for aspirants to register, arguing that it was too early, with the General Election still about 14 months away.

The resistance is being led by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who was recently edged out of the deputy party leader position.

Osotsi dismissed the ODM “Linda Ground” faction’s announcement, saying it was not yet time for the party to begin the nomination process.

“Preparation of candidate lists is usually done a few months before the General Election, and that would be around mid next year,” said Osotsi.

He took a swipe at the Oburu-led faction, terming its recent political decisions as actions of a confused team lacking direction.

“They started delegates’ meetings which did not pick up. The youth convention also failed to take off and they abandoned it. They clearly lack a plan,” he said.

Osotsi described the notice inviting aspirants as a divisive tactic aimed at helping the faction remain politically relevant despite lacking a clear roadmap for the party.

“This is a diversionary tactic. They are attempting to remain relevant yet their faction has no clear plans,” he added.

He urged the Oburu-led camp to focus on establishing legitimate and stable party leadership instead of engaging in what he termed as “shenanigans” copied from the ruling UDA party, which recently invited aspirants to register.

Asked whether members of the “Linda Mwananchi” faction would submit applications within the set deadline, Osotsi said they would not be pressured into endorsing what he termed an illegitimate process under an illegitimate leadership.

Earlier this year, Osotsi defended the party’s capacity to produce a presidential candidate.

“Isn’t Sifuna qualified? Isn’t Babu qualified? Isn’t Orengo qualified?” Osotsi posed while dismissing claims that ODM lacked leaders capable of mounting a national presidential campaign.

Only days before the announcement, ODM suffered a legal setback after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) dismissed the party’s preliminary objection against a case filed by Sifuna seeking protection from removal as ODM secretary-general.

The ruling handed Sifuna temporary political relief and exposed simmering tensions over attempts to reorganise the party hierarchy.

Sifuna also maintains that ODM should remain independent and field its own presidential candidate next year.

“Don’t be cheated that we will have broad-based candidates, because there is no party called broad-based,” Sifuna declared.

However, Oburu and his allies have defended ongoing talks with President Ruto, insisting the party must remain pragmatic and negotiate from a position of strength.

Speaking recently, Oburu cautioned ODM leaders against premature endorsements and internal rivalry as negotiations with UDA continue.

“We are yet to begin our negotiations, and I would like to request that, before we start endorsing one another, we ensure a thorough and consultative process,” Oburu said.

Behind the scenes, disagreements reportedly persist over a possible power-sharing arrangement between ODM and UDA ahead of 2027.

Among the sticking points are ODM’s alleged push to secure the deputy president position as part of any coalition arrangement backing Ruto’s re-election, as well as demands for zoning agreements in ODM strongholds such as Nyanza and parts of Western Kenya.

UDA leaders are said to be resisting both proposals, further complicating negotiations.

Political analyst Moses Ombayo said the early invitation for applications should not be viewed merely as a routine electoral process.

“This is not just about nominations. It is a strategic political signal meant to show who is currently controlling the ODM machinery,” Ombayo said.

“The Oburu-led faction appears keen on consolidating institutional power before 2027 by activating party structures early and isolating dissenting voices within the party,” he added.

He argued that the widening gap in ODM could eventually trigger defections if not managed carefully.