ODM Youth League Protested Kipchumba’s Nomination As Mbadi Replacement
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Youth League has publicly challenged Harold Kipchumba’s nomination to replace John Mbadi as a nominated MP in the National Assembly.
The complaint comes after Kipchumba’s gazettement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on July 24.
This follows Mbadi’s nomination to President William Ruto’s Cabinet as Treasury Cabinet Secretary.
The ODM Youth League National President, John Ketora, and his deputy, Martin Muthusi, are organizing the protest against Kipchumba’s nomination.
They believe that the IEBC made a mistake by placing Kipchumba in the Persons with Disabilities category instead of Ketora.
They allege Ketora was the next in line on the party’s “Workers” list.
“We cannot replace a worker with a person with disability category because they already had their slot,” said Muthusi.
ODM Youth League challenges IEBC gazettement of Kimuge Kipchumba as ODM nominated MP
— KBC Channel 1 News (@KBCChannel1) July 28, 2025
ODM youths accuse IEBC of disregarding John Ketora for gazettement to replace John Mbadi
IEBC maintains it followed due process in gazettement of Kimuge Kipchumba’s name#CHANikoKBC ^RW pic.twitter.com/G9i7JS89o7
Muthusi claimed that Ketora, as the second name on the workers’ list, was an appropriate replacement.
The Youth League leaders urged the IEBC to look into what they called an anomaly and assign the seat to Ketora in accordance with the party’s list.
Another party official, David Kantai, criticized the IEBC’s decision and urged the nomination to be withdrawn.
While distancing the ODM leadership from the issue, Ketora lambasted the IEBC for what he saw as an injustice to the party.
“I will not expose my secret card, but we have reinforced every corner to ensure we handle this matter expeditiously,” he said.
A letter from ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna to the IEBC, dated July 25, 2025, verified the vacancy created by Mbadi’s Cabinet appointment on August 8, 2024, and requested that the seat be assigned to Ketora.
ALSO READ:
- DCP’s Malala Explains Why United Opposition Chiefs Snubbed Gachagua’s Return
- UK To Pay A Measly Ksh22K To BATUK’s Fire Victims In Laikipia
- Wetangula, CJ Koome Exchange Words Over Courts-Parliament Relationship
- VIHIGA: COP Shoots Dead A Colleague Before Disappearing
- CHAN PRIZE MONEY: Breakdown Of All Participants As Kenya Bags Ksh58 Million
The letter noted pertinent constitutional and electoral rules, including the workers’ category and gender issues.
The IEBC has defended its judgment, claiming that the replacement was completed in compliance with legal requirements.
Kipchumba, a disability rights advocate and polio survivor, was nominated in the PLWD category, which some see as a significant step towards disability representation in Parliament.
However, the nomination has sparked anger within ODM, particularly among young members who advocate for greater youth engagement.
ODM Youth League Protested Kipchumba’s Nomination As Mbadi Replacement
