The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has proposed raising monthly support for select vulnerable groups to KSh 6,000.
Raising of the monthly support is part of the social welfare agenda and long-standing economic justice associated with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The proposal is among the discussed resolutions during the party’s retreat in Mombasa.
Focus on Jobs for Youth and Expanded Social Welfare
ODM reaffirmed its commitment to creating employment opportunities for young people, stating that job creation remains a core pillar of its economic agenda.
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According to the party it still has the dream in strengthening support systems for the poor, widows, single mothers, and other vulnerable households.
The party argued that the government must take a more active role in cushioning disadvantaged groups against economic hardship and ensuring access to basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education.
A key highlight of the agenda was the proposal to raise the monthly stipend for elderly citizens from KSh 2,000 to KSh 6,000.
“We retain the dream to create jobs for the youth, make government take care of the poor, the widows and vulnerable, make government take care of single mothers and make government raise the upkeep for the elderly from the current Ksh. 2000 to Ksh. 6000 per month,” read part of the statement.
Strengthening Internal Party Structures for Elections
The retreat also focused on internal reforms to prepare ODM for the 2027 general elections.
The party resolved to enhance candidate identification processes, with regional teams tasked with scouting and recruiting individuals aligned with ODM’s values for all elective positions.
ODM’s National Elections Coordinating Committee(NECC) was instructed to develop stronger, more transparent systems for party nominations to ensure credibility, fairness, and inclusivity.
The party also emphasized the need to improve selection process for parliamentary and county assembly candidates, taking into account concerns raised in previous election cycles.
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Youth, Women and Grassroots Empowerment
ODM further committed to empowering its youth and women leagues to ensure stronger generational and gender representation within party leadership structures.
The goal is to ensure that young people and women are not only participants but also key decision-makers within the party.
“We task the Party Secretariat to device ways and means to review and revamp the youth and women leagues with a view to developing generational and gender mix when electing leadership of ODM to ensure young people and women are organically developed into ODM leadership at all levels,” read part of the statement.
Grassroots involvement was also highlighted, with plans to strengthen the participation of lower-level party members in election management.
This includes improving the identification and training of party agents and ensuring adequate funding for their deployment during elections.
The party also resolved to activate ODM chapters in universities and colleges across the country, strengthening engagement with students and youth-led organizations to build a wider support base ahead of 2027.
