The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has directed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to resolve an internal dispute surrounding the leadership of its National Youth League.
Registrar John Lorionokou said his office received a formal complaint from Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai questioning the continued stay in office of ODM Youth League President John Ketora, who is currently 41 years old.
In a letter dated December 9, 2025, and addressed to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Lorionokou said the matter should be handled in accordance with the party’s constitution and internal mechanisms. He enclosed Alai’s complaint for the party’s review and appropriate action.
Alai argues that Ketora no longer qualifies to hold the Youth League position, citing Article 260 of the Constitution of Kenya, which defines a youth as a person aged between 18 and 34 years. According to Alai, Ketora ceased to meet this threshold on August 12, 2019, when he turned 35.
The MCA further contends that ODM’s own constitution reinforces this requirement, stating that the National Youth League leader must meet the constitutional definition of a youth both at the time of election and throughout their tenure.
In addition to age concerns, Alai claims Ketora is ineligible to hold any party office after his recent appointment as chairperson of the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation board.
ODM is yet to issue an official response to the ORPP’s letter. However, sources within the party indicate that the matter is expected to be addressed during the ongoing grassroots and national elections scheduled to conclude in the first quarter of next year. Ketora is reportedly not seeking re-election, having not been nominated as a youth delegate from any party branch.
In his letter, Alai called on ODM’s National Elections Board to organise fresh, transparent and lawful elections for the Youth League leadership within 60 days.
“We cannot credibly demand accountability from the national government while allowing constitutional violations within our own party,” Alai stated, adding that the issue is being closely watched by party members, oversight institutions and the wider public.