This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
On August 16, 2019, ODM leader Raila Odinga launched a rebuilding plan for the party, focusing on reforming the primary election process, which has been identified as the party's biggest weakness.
The plan comes after a task force report criticized the party's secretariat, national executive committee, and national elections board for mishandling party primaries during elections.
As part of the plan, a three-member committee was formed to devise a rescue strategy to revitalize the party. However, the committee's formation has been marred by controversy, with some party officials calling for the resignation of top party officials.
Director of strategy Wafula Buke accused ODM executive director Oduor Ong'wen of ignoring Raila's directive to hold a directors' meeting in 2017 and instead making a decision single-handedly that led to the staffing of the party's list with names of close relatives and friends.
According to Buke, Ong'wen nominated his wife and nephew as MCAs at the expense of loyal party members, and the nomination list was intentionally submitted at the last minute, leaving the party with no chance to effect any adjustments.
Raila has vowed to strengthen the party to have more MPs, Senators, and Governors in the forthcoming polls. Plans for grassroots elections for party officials will kick off next year, aiming to recruit more supporters and candidates.
Through a clean nomination process, the party hopes to have more legislators in parliaments, MCAs, and other elected leaders.
