The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has handed Harrison Kombe a direct ticket to contest the Magarini parliamentary seat in Kilifi County, after he emerged as the sole applicant for the position.
The announcement came on Friday at Chungwa House, where the party unveiled its first batch of candidates for the November 27 by-elections. According to the National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC), Kombe was among several aspirants who faced no challengers during the nomination period.
“Magarini Constituency and Fafi Ward candidates were awarded direct tickets by the party. In addition, Chewani, Kisa East, Purko, Angata Nanyokie and Naanam Wards also had unopposed aspirants,” said NECC chairperson Emily Awita. “We have therefore gathered here today to present them with their certificates as unopposed ODM candidates.”
Others who received direct nominations include Salimu Mohamed (Chewani), Thomas Eshuya Oyolo (Kisa East), Daniel Naikuni (Purko), Letoluai Loisia (Angata Nanyokie), Feisal Gedi (Fafi), and Mohammed Yussuf (Naanam).
Awita stressed that where competition exists, ODM would ensure transparent and credible primaries. “For the remaining seats where there is more than one aspirant, I want to assure you that the party primaries will be conducted between September 24 and 27, 2025,” she said.
The spotlight now shifts to Ugunja and Kasipul constituencies, both considered ODM strongholds. The Ugunja seat fell vacant after Opiyo Wandayi, a longtime party stalwart, was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum in President William Ruto’s recent reshuffle. In Kasipul, voters will choose a new representative following the killing of MP Ongondo Were in April, a case that shocked the political establishment.
Analysts say the upcoming contests will be a test of ODM’s ability to defend its turf, particularly in the wake of shifting alliances and growing pressure from rivals. For the party, the stakes are not just about numbers in Parliament but about reaffirming its grip on regions that have long stood as its political base.
In a statement, ODM insisted it remained committed to “strengthening democracy within the party and across the nation.” For now, the first battle lines are drawn, and the focus turns to the September primaries.
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