The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is set to hold its highly anticipated grassroots elections on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, with the polls scheduled to open across the country at polling station levels.
The exercise will see 30 individuals elected per station, comprising 10 mainstream members, 10 youth league representatives, and 10 women league representatives.
The elections are part of the party’s internal restructuring process, aimed at electing new office bearers at various levels within the party.
The polls will be conducted in four distinct tiers: polling station level, ward level, branch level (constituency), and county level.
Emily Awita, Chairperson of the National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC), confirmed that preparations for the elections are complete.
“It’s all systems go for the much-anticipated elections,” she said in a press statement shared by ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale on Monday, November 25, 2024.
Aspirants have been registering online or through the shortcode 483036# to confirm their participation in the polls.
Only registered party members will be eligible to vote, and the official register of eligible members will be made available across all 47 counties by Tuesday, November 26, 2024, ahead of the elections.
The polls will take place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Awita urged party members and aspirants to exercise patience and restraint to ensure the exercise proceeds without disruptions.
“We expect the exercise to run smoothly and I urge party members and aspirants to exercise restraint and avoid any unnecessary distractions,” Awita said.
County Elections Coordinators have been thoroughly trained and provided with all necessary materials to oversee the smooth execution of the process.
The dates for elections at higher party levels, including the ward, branch, and county levels, will be announced after the completion of the polling station-level elections.
Raila’s departure
This election marks a critical moment for the ODM as it seeks to renew its leadership and strengthen its grassroots structures ahead of future political engagements.
The forthcoming polls follow Raila Odinga’s recent step back from ODM’s leadership.
On October 12, 2024, during the party’s National Executive Committee meeting in Mombasa, Raila officially passed ODM leadership the baton to Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, who now serves as acting leader.
The decision allows Raila to focus on his campaign for the African Union Commission Chairmanship, a role he has been preparing for with unwavering commitment.
In his emotional address during the leadership handover, Raila outlined three key wishes for the party’s future.
First, Raila urged ODM to maintain its professionalism, referencing a report from the Registrar of Political Parties that lauded ODM as the only Kenyan political party operating ethically and within the law.
“Ata yule mkaguzi wa vyama amesema yakwamba ODM pekeake ndo chama ambaye inaendeshwa kwa maadili na sheria. Nataka ODM izidi kuongoza katika eneo hizo,” he said.
Secondly, Raila called for unity among ODM members, encouraging them to remain steadfast in pursuing the party’s vision for Kenya.
“Na vile vile tunataka wanachama wetu wazidi kuunga mkono chama chetu. Najua kuna changamoto mingi uko mbele lakini kama watu wetu wakishikana pamoja nina uhakika kwamba tutaweza,” he emphasized.
Finally, Raila stressed the importance of peaceful grassroots elections. He implored contenders to respect democratic outcomes and prioritize party cohesion over individual ambitions.
“Hio uchaguzi tunataka ifanyike kwa njia ya demokrasia, hatutaki fujo…Kama watu wawili wamejitokeza kugombea kiti mmoja atashinda na mmoja atashindwa wakimaliza wanasalamiana maanake chama ndo muhimu zaidi kuliko wewe ama mwingine,” Raila noted.
Days ago, Raila convened a pivotal meeting with elected leaders from Western Kenya under the ODM banner, aiming to solidify the party’s presence in the region ahead of upcoming grassroots elections.
The former Prime Minister emphasized strengthening ODM’s influence and preparing for grassroots elections slated for November 27, 2024.
