ODM Kakamega County elections rescheduled to September 1

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and Emily Awita, Chairperson of ODM’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC)/FILE

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced that county elections for party officials in Kakamega will now be held on September 1.

It follows a botched attempt earlier due to a disagreement over the voting method.

The elections, part of a wider ODM internal reorganisation drive, were scheduled to take place on Monday but were abruptly suspended after two rival camps—led by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera—clashed over whether to vote by secret ballot or through queueing (mlolongo).

Both Barasa and Nabwera are vying for the powerful position of ODM County Chairperson.

Barasa’s camp backed queue voting, while Nabwera’s team insisted on a secret ballot, citing fairness and transparency.

Efforts to broker a consensus between the factions failed, prompting Presiding Officer Simbauni Ndombi to call off the process, which was being held at the Bishop Nicholas Stam Pastoral Centre along the Kakamega-Webuye road.

“We decided to take a break and allow further consultations before holding the elections at a later date. Mine is to write a report to the national office for action,” said Ndombi.

On Wednesday, Emily Awita, Chairperson of ODM’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC), confirmed that the election had been rescheduled to September 1.

The Kakamega elections are part of a nationwide exercise launched by ODM on Monday across 43 counties, aimed at rejuvenating grassroots leadership ahead of the party’s upcoming National Delegates Conference (NDC).

In a statement, ODM urged members to maintain order and discipline throughout the process:

The elections are being conducted at both Sub-Branch (ward) and branch (Constituency) levels, forming a critical step in the party’s internal reorganisation and preparation for future political realignments and electoral contests.

Kakamega, a key ODM stronghold in the Western region, has long been a strategic county for the party. The contest between Barasa and Nabwera reflects deeper undercurrents in regional leadership and influence within the party.