ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale has said the party will field candidates selectively in the upcoming by-elections, concentrating on areas where it has strong support while leaving other regions temporarily without candidates.
He told Radio Generation that the approach is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the party’s presence and influence in regions where it is less dominant.
“We are failing candidates in some of the electoral areas. For instance, we have Magarini, where we gave a direct certificate to the former MP Harrison Kombe, whose election was nullified. It was important that we just entrust him with the way ticket so he continues with his job that he had started. He’s a seasoned politician and the nullification of his election actually was, was a big upset, but we are going to come there. We’ll recapture that seat,” Etale said on Friday.
He confirmed that nominations were recently held in Ugunja and Kasipul constituencies and added that ODM has candidates spread across the country.
“There are areas where, just like in the UK, where there’s red, blue, green areas. So there are areas where we may not be popular as an ODM party, we opted not to field candidates, but where we believe strongholds that we can say, these are our strongholds, we have candidates there,” the Director explained.
Asked why the party is not fielding candidates in some regions, Etale said it is not about unpopularity but about strategy and capacity.
“For instance, we cannot field a candidate in central when we know that definitely not win, so we only field where we know that we are capable of mounting a campaign that can be productive,” he said.
Etale confirmed that ODM remains part of the Azimio coalition and addressed whether the party would support candidates from other parties in areas where it is less prominent.
“You know politics is about competition, yes, and about flexing your political muscle and powers. I’ll give you an example in Kasipul constituency, which is a Wiper stronghold. The former Wiper party has fielded a candidate. It’s competition. It’s about showing yourself and trying to prove that you can. If they win, so be it. If we win, yeah, we carry the day,” he said.
Going further, Etale emphasized that the party’s strategy goes beyond simply fielding candidates.
“It is ways of talking to people about your policies and ideology as a political party, not just about fielding candidates. If you want to sell a product in a market that is a bit not quite favorable, there are strategies that you employ. It’s not about failing a candidate. We have other strategies to reach out to the people and make our party popular in those areas. Then in the future, we can field candidates. We have structures and party officials working around the clock to popularize the party. Sometimes they advise us to wait for another time,” Etale explained.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced that all by-elections will be conducted on November 27, 2025, marking the end of a prolonged period in which some vacant seats had remained without elected leaders for over two years.
In a Gazette notice dated August 8, 2025, IEBC chair Erastus Ethekon listed 16 by-elections for ward seats in counties.
These include Angata Nanyokie Ward in Samburu County, Chemundu/Kapng’etuny Ward in Nandi County, Chewani Ward in Tana River County, Fafi Ward in Garissa County, Kariobangi North Ward in Nairobi City County, Kisa East Ward in Kakamega County, Metkei Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Mumbuni North Ward in Machakos County, Narok Town Ward in Narok County, Purko Ward in Kajiado County, Tembelio Ward in Uasin Gishu County, Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo Wards in Nyamira County, Lake Zone and Nanaam Wards in Turkana County.
The Gazette also listed the Baringo Senate seat, MPs for Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, Ugunja, and the MCA seat for Kabuchai.
Etale concluded that ODM’s presence in all regions is still being felt, and the party hopes to expand its influence ahead of future elections.