Wantam Movement Launches Digital Vote to Pick Preferred 2027 Opposition Flagbearer
The Wantam Movement has announced a digital voting process to identify its preferred opposition presidential candidate and running mate ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election, while reaffirming that it is an independent citizens’ initiative with no ties to any political party or coalition.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the movement’s Advisory Committee said its role is to provide Kenyans with a participatory platform through the Wantam Digital Election System. It said the exercise is intended to be transparent and inclusive, giving citizens a direct role in selecting their preferred opposition leaders rather than relying on negotiations among political elites.
The process will begin with an online vote on 25 and 26 July, during which supporters will choose from 16 opposition presidential hopefuls. The first round will narrow the field to five candidates, who will then take part in a public debate to present their leadership plans and policy priorities. A final digital vote will then determine the movement’s preferred presidential candidate and running mate.
Before the voting begins, the Advisory Committee has invited opposition presidential aspirants to a stakeholders’ meeting on 22 July. The meeting will focus on reviewing the digital election system and ensuring the process reflects the views of participants.
The committee said: “The WANTAM Advisory Committee wishes to reaffirm that it is an independent, non-partisan citizens’ initiative and is not affiliated with or acting on behalf of any politician, political party or political coalition.”
The committee stressed that the Wantam process does not have any constitutional authority to determine Kenya’s official presidential candidates. Under existing electoral law, political parties are responsible for nominating candidates, while the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission oversees the formal electoral process.
