{
  "id": 15449156,
  "title": "Wanga vows ODM will reclaim all former seats, back Ruto for president",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/wanga-vows-odm-will-reclaim-all-former-seats-back-ruto-for-president",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T16:37:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/wanga-vows-odm-will-reclaim-all-former-seats-back-ruto-for-president"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Homa Bay Governor and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chair Gladys Wanga has declared that the party will recapture all its former seats in the 2027 General Election, while endorsing President William Ruto's re-election campaign. She asserted that the ODM would strive to regain every seat it once held, with the presidency being secured by Ruto. Wanga made these remarks on October 18, 2026, during a visit to the North Eastern region. Her declaration illustrates the party's strategy as it prepares for the upcoming election, aiming to regain lost territories and bolster its support beyond its conventional strongholds. This statement emerges in the wake of calls for the ODM to stay united and broaden its national reach following the passing of its influential leader, former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, a year prior. During a tribute marking the anniversary of Odinga's death on October 15, 2025, Wanga remembered his impact on her political journey and his hopes for the party's future. She noted that Odinga had fervently discussed the party's prospects beyond his own lifespan in his latter years. Wanga also stressed the necessity of reinforcing ODM's presence in areas outside its usual voter base. She elaborated in a recent statement that the North Eastern region is a steadfast ODM stronghold and that discussions with party delegates and grassroots leaders have led to a pledge to strengthen ties in the region. Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir are highlighted as regions where the party intends to amplify its political partnerships. This outreach is part of ODM's broader strategy to garner support ahead of the 2027 polls, as it seeks to recover seats lost in previous elections and enhance its national standing. Wanga emphasized that the party's future should be guided by the values Odinga championed in his political career, such as democracy, fairness, and inclusion. She framed the challenge for party leaders as sustaining his vision through the party's actions, rather than confining his legacy to commemorative events. ODM has been engaging in activities under its \"Mwezi wa Baba\" program to honor Odinga and contemplate his political inheritance. Wanga's statements position the party's seat-recovery campaign alongside its publicly expressed backing for Ruto's re-election bid for 2027. The ODM now confronts the challenge of fortifying its grassroots networks and alliances as political activity intensifies in the lead-up to the General Election.",
  "summary": "Homa Bay Governor and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairperson Gladys Wanga has vowed that the party will reclaim all its former elective seats ahead of the 2027 General Election, while supporting President William Ruto’s re-election bid. Wanga said ODM would work to regain every seat it previously held, adding that the presidency would go […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Murkomen criticises Natembeya over planned protests against Trans Nzoia hospital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/murkomen-criticises-natembeya-over-planned-protests-against-trans",
        "published": "2026-10-18T10:49:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KBC",
        "title": "Construction of Trans Nzoia hospital will continue uninterrupted, Ruto vows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/construction-of-trans-nzoia-hospital-will-continue-uninterrupted-ruto",
        "published": "2026-10-18T14:31:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}