The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued a notice ahead of the upcoming by-elections.
In a statement dated Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the party announced that members who wish to participate in party primaries in areas where by-elections will be held must verify their membership.
“Following communication by the IEBC regarding the upcoming by-elections, the Party wishes to inform its members in the following electoral areas that membership verification is ongoing. Members in these areas are advised to confirm their details and status in preparation for the upcoming by-elections,” read part of the notice.
According to ODM, members can verify their details by dialing *483*036# or visiting www.odmmembership.com.
The also warned that membership registration in the affected areas has been temporarily disabled and no new registrations will be allowed until after the by-elections.
In addition, ODM noted that members will not be permitted to change their registration centres during the exercise.
Vacant Seats as Declared by IEBC
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), constituencies and Senatorial seats that are currently vacant include:
- Baringo County
- Banissa Constituency
- Kasipul Constituency
- Magarini Constituency
- Malava Constituency
- Mbeere North Constituency
- Ugunja Constituency
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At the same time, the electoral commission will conduct elections in several wards that including:
- Angata Nanyokie
- Chemundu/Kapng’etuny
- Chewani
- Fafi
- Kariobangi North
- Kisa East
- Metkei
- Mumbuni North
- Kabuchai/Chwele
- Narok Town
- Purko
- Tembelio
- Nyansiongo
- Nyamaiya
- Ekerenyo
- Lake Zone
- Nanaam
Areas Where Party Primaries Will Be Conducted
Some of the constituencies expected to experience hotly contested ODM primaries ahead of the by-elections include Kasipul, Ugunja, Magarini, and Malava.
The Kasipul seat fell vacant following the death of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were. The vacancy has attracted several aspirants within ODM, among them his son Boyd Were and businessman Philip Aroko. The ODM Youth League has repeatedly backed Boyd Were, urging the party to grant him a ticket to carry on his father’s legacy. However, some party officials insist that a fair nomination process should be conducted instead of issuing a direct ticket.
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In Magarini, ODM is also expected to face a competitive nomination after the Supreme Court nullified the 2022 election of MP Harrison Garama Kombe, citing massive irregularities that undermined the credibility of the vote. Kombe had narrowly won the seat by just 45 votes.
In July 2025, several ODM members in Kilifi County called on the party leadership to allow open primaries to ensure transparency and inclusivity in choosing a candidate, rather than handing out a direct nomination.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), all by-elections will be held on November 27, 2025.
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