ODM will not give nomination tickets to lawmakers who work closely with President William Ruto’s government, the party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has said.
Sifuna said they will not give MPs perceived as rebels the party tickets regardless of their popularity on the ground.
He argued that they had betrayed them by solely deciding to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration without the nod of the party leadership.
“Let those rebel MPs know that they will not be handed the party tickets because they have betrayed us. We’re revamping the party to maintain our popularity,” Sifuna said.
Speaking on Monday when they launched the party registration drive at Mbita stadium in Suba North constituency, Sifuna argued that some of the MPs are planning to return and ask for forgiveness in 2026.
He claimed that the party had given them a window to explain themselves but they failed to do so.
Some of the party rebels include Senator Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), MPs Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Felix Odiwuor (Lang’ata) and Paul Abuor (Rongo).
On Sunday, Sifuna alleged that the MPs have plans to persuade ODM leader Raila Odinga to pardon them.
He said the pardon is aimed at building good relations with Raila to secure the party tickets for defending their seats in the 2027 general election.
“The confidential information I have is that they are planning to start persuading Raila in 2026 for amnesty. But I tell them that things will not be the same again in 2027,” Sifuna said.
"Raila may forgive them as a good leader but what the party national council has decided is that those who walk against the party rules are not given tickets."
ODM also failed in its attempts to expel the MPs from the party to pave the way for by-elections a few months ago.
This is after the legislators secured a court order allowing them to continue serving as members of the party.
“They will be forgiven yes but they should forget the nomination certificate. I know Raila will forgive them but I will tear their nomination certificates because they disrespected the party,” he said.
According to ODM Chairman John Mbadi, anybody elected on an ODM ticket must be loyal to the party to propagate its agenda.
“We are not happy to have MPs who defy the party position. Loyalty is paramount,” Mbadi said.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said loyalty is of paramount importance in ODM.
“As elected leaders, we must be united solidly behind Raila Odinga to enable us to move towards the same direction,” Wanga said.
