The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has officially launched its much-anticipated county delegates’ elections across 43 counties.
The elections mark a step towards reorganising the party’s internal leadership ahead of a planned national delegates’ conference.
ODM urged its members to uphold order and respect throughout the exercise.
“We urge delegates to conduct themselves with decorum and respect during and after the exercise,” the party stated.
The elections, scheduled to be conducted in a single day on August 25, will not take place in four counties, Nairobi, Migori, Homa Bay, and Kisumu, due to logistical and internal party issues.
"The National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) will conduct county delegates’ elections countrywide, except for the counties of Migori, Nairobi, Homa Bay, and Kisumu," the statement noted.
In another development, the party postponed delegate elections in Busia County, citing undisclosed logistical concerns.
The announcement was made through a statement posted on the party’s official X (formerly Twitter) page by NECC chairperson Emily Awita on August 21.
The statement corrected an earlier notice dated August 18, clarifying that elections in Busia would remain postponed until further notice.
The party reassured ODM members in Busia that new dates will be communicated in due course.
In a further shake-up, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna announced the expulsion of key election officials in several counties.
"The county elections coordinators for Nairobi, all of them, have been dismissed. Also, the chair of coordinators in Migori and some of the coordinators in Siaya County are to be replaced with immediate effect,” Sifuna said, adding that replacements would be announced shortly by the NECC.
The ongoing elections, conducted at both Sub-Branch (Ward) and Branch (Constituency) levels, are part of the party's broader strategy to strengthen grassroots structures.
ODM officials have reiterated that this internal democratic process is essential for preparing the party for future political realignments and electoral contests.
As the elections unfold, attention remains on ODM’s next steps, particularly how it addresses internal disputes and consolidates leadership ahead of the national delegates’ conference.
