Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing internal turmoil ahead of its planned grassroots elections set to begin on April 7. Several constituencies have raised concerns over the legitimacy of the delegates’ lists, with at least ten constituencies contesting the final lists set to participate in the elections.
Among the constituencies where disputes have emerged are Ndhiwa, Rongo, Nyando, Nyakach, Embakasi West, Mathare, Ruaraka, Lang’ata, Suna West, Matayos, and Kwale County. Complaints range from allegations of failure to conduct polling station-level elections to claims of unauthorized changes to the delegates’ names at the party headquarters.
In Ndhiwa, a faction of party officials allied with area MP Martins Owino has rejected the delegates’ list, alleging manipulation of last November’s elections. Ndhiwa Constituency ODM Chairman Jerry Odeny termed the list as “fake” and called for its immediate withdrawal from the party’s portal.
“The list of delegates contains names of many people who were not elected at the polling stations. Therefore, we reject it,” Odeny stated during a press conference alongside MP Owino.
However, Kanyamwa Kosewe Ward MCA Nicholas Owaka dismissed the claims, stating that the disputed delegates were duly elected and accusing opposing factions of trying to impose their preferred individuals.
ODM has yet to issue an official response regarding the concerns raised in Ndhiwa. However, in the other nine constituencies, the party has acknowledged the complaints and promised a repeat of the exercise before proceeding with constituency-level elections.
“The results from Embakasi West, Mathare, Ruaraka, Lang’ata, Suna West, Nyakach, Nyando, Matayos, and Kwale County have not been published since they were disputed,” a statement on the party’s website reads. “The results will be published once the Central Committee team releases its report.”
According to National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) Chairperson Emily Awita, ODM will hold sub-branch (Ward) elections on April 7 across all 47 counties, with branch (Constituency) elections scheduled for April 9 at designated centers nationwide.
A total of 77 party officials will be elected across four committees: Mainstream, Women’s League, Youth League, and Disability League. The mainstream committee positions include chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary, treasurer, organizing secretary, and their deputies, along with eight committee members.
With the disputes yet to be resolved, ODM’s grassroots elections will be a key test for the party’s internal democracy as it gears up for future political battles.
