Inside ODM's plan to avoid embarrassment in make-or-break mini elections

Veteran politician Raila Odinga’s ODM party is laying out elaborate strategies to avert any embarrassment in the upcoming by-elections across the country.

The polls coincide with the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations, and insiders admit that a loss would cast a shadow over the milestone and signal potential decline for a movement that once dominated its traditional strongholds.

The memory of the 2019 Ugenya by-election loss—when ODM was defeated by the little-known Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) candidate David Ochieng’—still haunts the party and has pushed its leadership back to the drawing board.

ODM is seeking to retain the Kasipul, Ugunja, and Magarini parliamentary seats. However, independent candidates—many of them former ODM aspirants who decamped over fears of predetermined primaries—pose a serious challenge. Most command significant financial muscle and have mounted spirited campaigns.

Grassroots drives

Interviews with party insiders reveal a strategy that places senior party figures and seasoned politicians at the heart of the campaign machinery. In addition to leading intense grassroots drives, these leaders will act as agents for ODM candidates, assisting in inspection, mobilisation, and voter engagement.

This explains the vigorous campaigns being led by deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir and Godfrey Osotsi, national chairperson Gladys Wanga, and other party stalwarts under the “#ChungwaNation” banner marking ODM’s 20th anniversary.

“The party is keen to win all the seats where we have fielded candidates and make a strong statement as we celebrate our 20th anniversary,” said an ODM legislator.

In Kasipul, Wanga is spearheading efforts to secure victory for ODM candidate Boyd Were, supported by all elected MPs from Homa Bay County. Earlier this week, she was joined by Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and the two deputy party leaders for a campaign blitz.

Yesterday, Kisumu City Manager Michael Wanga accompanied Boyd Were on a meet-and-greet tour in Wire, urging residents to back the 27-year-old candidate, whom he described as best placed to complete projects started by his slain father, former MP Charles Ongondo Were.

“We appeal to you to support Boyd Were,” he told locals.

Campaigns in Kasipul have become increasingly monetised, with candidates routinely handing out cash and gifts to woo voters. Independent candidate Philip Aroko, Robert Riaga (popularly known as Money Bior), MDG’s Collins Okeyo, and UPA’s Rateng’ Otiende have vowed to upset ODM’s dominance.

Last week, ODM leaders invoked the murder of former MP Ongondo Were as a campaign rallying point, claiming to know those behind his killing. The claims, made by Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma during a rally, have sparked controversy.

In Ugunja, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Raila Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga, are leading efforts to hand the seat to ODM’s Moses Omondi.

Wandayi, who vacated the Ugunja seat after joining President William Ruto’s Cabinet, described Omondi as a “broad-based candidate” and pledged to ensure his victory.

“I have worked with Omondi and can vouch for him as an honest man capable of wearing my shoes,” he said.

He also urged candidates to unite the constituency and encouraged youth across Nyanza to register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election, noting that the region could add 800,000 new voters—raising its total to over three million and strengthening its bargaining power nationally.

Political project

Although Omondi enjoys backing from Wandayi and three Ugunja MCAs, he has dismissed claims of being a political project, insisting his decision to contest is personal and driven by ambition.

During recent tours to launch last-mile electricity connections, Wandayi openly drummed up support for Omondi, making clear where his political loyalties lie.

In Magarini, Nassir teamed up with Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro to rally support for Harrison Kombe, who seeks to reclaim the seat he lost through the courts. They were joined by Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, and Jomvu MP Badi Twalib.

The leaders urged voters to re-elect Kombe, saying he has a proven track record and experience.

The mini poll is scheduled for November 27.

 Additional reporting by Isaiah Gwengi and Nehemiah Okwembah