Wantam Advisory Committee chairperson during the Francis Masinde during the unveiling of the Wantam Digital Election SystemAs political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election gathers momentum, a new political initiative is seeking to shift part of the opposition's candidate selection process from closed-door negotiations to ordinary citizens.
The Wantam Advisory Committee has unveiled the Wantam Digital Election System, an online platform through which Kenyans will vote for their preferred opposition presidential flagbearer in what the movement describes as a citizen-led public participation exercise.
The top five candidates will then advance to a public debate before a final round of voting determines the movement's preferred presidential flagbearer.
The list of potential candidates includes several prominent opposition leaders and public figures, among them Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, David Maraga, Rigathi Gachagua, Okiya Omtatah, Edwin Sifuna, Fred Matiang'i, Eugene Wamalwa, George Natembeya and Justin Muturi, among others.
Beyond the list of names, the initiative reflects growing calls, particularly among younger Kenyans, for greater public participation in political decision-making through technology rather than elite political negotiations.
The committee is encouraging Kenyans to participate in the online vote through the Watntam platform, describing it as an opportunity for citizens to influence the opposition's choice of a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the digital exercise is not part of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)'s official electoral process and will not determine the candidates who eventually appear on the 2027 presidential ballot.
It is instead an initiative by the Wantam Movement aimed at gauging public preference within the opposition.
