- The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has officially opened applications for the 2027 General Election.
- Interested candidates can now seek ODM nominations for positions including president, governor, MP, senator, and MCA.
- Applications will remain open until June 30, 2026.
- The move comes amid growing political cooperation talks between ODM and UDA ahead of 2027.
- IEBC is also intensifying voter registration and electoral reforms ahead of the next election.
The political race toward the 2027 General Election has gained momentum after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) announced that its nomination process is officially open for members interested in contesting various elective seats, including the highly sought-after presidential ticket.
In a notice issued by the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee, ODM invited aspirants seeking nominations for positions such as president, governor, senator, woman representative, member of the National Assembly, and member of the county assembly.
According to the party, the exercise will be conducted under ODM’s constitution and nomination guidelines, with the application process set to close on June 30, 2026.
The party directed interested members to submit their applications through ODM’s online platform while also urging members to verify their party registration details by dialling *483*036# ahead of the nomination exercise.
ODM stated that members should maintain close communication with the National Elections Coordinating Committee to ensure transparency and smooth coordination during the process.
The announcement comes at a politically significant moment, especially following recent developments involving the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM regarding possible coalition arrangements ahead of the 2027 polls.
Earlier this year, the UDA National Executive Committee reportedly authorised party leader and President William Ruto to spearhead structured coalition discussions with ODM as part of efforts to strengthen political cooperation before the next election.
The move fueled debate within political circles, with some leaders questioning whether ODM could eventually support President Ruto’s re-election bid or field its own presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 elections through nationwide voter registration drives and reforms aimed at improving electoral transparency.
IEBC chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the commission is focused on delivering free, fair, and credible elections while encouraging Kenyans to actively participate in safeguarding democracy.
The commission has already deployed thousands of staff across the country to support mass voter registration, with projections indicating the voter register could grow from 22.1 million voters in 2022 to approximately 28.5 million by 2027.
IEBC is also introducing additional biometric features, including iris recognition technology, to strengthen voter verification and reduce duplication within the voter register.
Political analysts now expect the coming months to witness increased activity as parties begin early preparations, coalition negotiations, and strategic positioning ahead of what is shaping up to be another highly competitive general election in Kenya.
